Shuanggudui, Archaeological tomb in Fuyang, China
Shuanggudui is an ancient tomb in Fuyang with a stepped pyramidal shape that reaches approximately 76 meters in height. The interior contains multiple chambers filled with historical artifacts and texts.
The tomb was sealed around 165 BCE during the Han dynasty and belonged to Xiahou Zao, the second marquis of Ruyin. It was discovered in 1977 during airport expansion work.
Excavations revealed numerous bamboo texts, including an early version of the I Ching and the Cang Jie Pian, a manual on Chinese characters. These finds demonstrate which writing systems and knowledge were central to daily life during that era.
The site requires careful preservation methods because the recovered bamboo strips and ancient manuscripts are very fragile. Visitors should be aware that conservation of these artifacts may affect access conditions to the chambers.
The tomb contained the oldest known cosmic boards, specialized divination instruments that reflect traditional Chinese cosmology from the Han period. These objects offer rare insights into the divination practices and worldview of ancient China.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
