electra-supply.comOn October 24, the Shanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology publicly announced the findings from the excavation of the Shenliuzhuang Cemetery in Linfen, Shanxi Province. Archaeologists have discovered tombs dating back approximately 3,000 years to the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, featuring a collection of imitation bronze ceremonial vessels that reflect a distinct Sanjin style.
Located about 500 meters southwest of Shenliu Village in Linfen, the excavation area has revealed 14 tombs from the Spring and Autumn Period and 35 from the Warring States Period. Among the artifacts unearthed are various types of vessels, including tripods, basins, jars, plates, and other ceremonial items, along with burial objects such as bronze belt hooks, mirrors, rings, iron hooks, bone ornaments, and agate rings.
Notably, 13 of the 35 Warring States tombs contained bronze belt hooks, dating to the mid to late Warring States Period. These belt hooks are commonly found in tombs from this era throughout the Sanjin region.
According to the archaeologists, the pottery assemblage from the early Warring States tombs features a new set of ritual vessels centered around tripods, along with basins, jars, and plates. In contrast, pottery combinations in early Warring States tombs from the nearby Changzhi watershed do not include plates or basins, highlighting variations in cultural development across regions.
The Shenliuzhuang Cemetery covers an area of approximately 60,000 square meters, with the current excavation covering less than three percent of the site. Experts estimate that the total number of tombs at the site could be around 2,000. Of the excavated Warring States tombs—including M7, M8, M9, and M30—most have occupants facing east, while others facing north suggest the presence of diverse groups within the cemetery. The first excavation area primarily contains smaller tombs devoid of pottery, whereas the second area consists entirely of larger graves, indicating a planned layout for burial practices.
This cemetery exhibits a typical Sanjin style and shows considerable similarity to the Warring States tombs found at the Tianma-Qucun and Houma-Qiaozhuang sites, distinguishing them from those in areas like Luoyang and Changzhi. This highlights the significant influence of Jin culture in the region. The excavation enriches the chronological framework of Warring States pottery tombs in southern Jin and provides important insights into the composition and evolution of Jin culture.
