Mausoleum des Königs von Zhongshan in Pingshan, Archaeological site and royal tomb in Pingshan, Hebei, China.
The Mausoleum of the King of Zhongshan in Pingshan comprises two royal tombs with earthen platforms: Tomb 1, the king's, measures 110 m north-south, 92 m east-west and 15 m high in three terraces, with a stone burial chamber about 2 m thick holding four nested coffins; Tomb 2, the queen's, lies east of it.
The mausoleum was built around 310 BC during the Warring States period and served as the final resting place for King Cuo of the Zhongshan kingdom. The complex stands as an important record of burial practices and cultural development spanning from the Eastern Zhou era through later dynasties.
The site reveals how the Zhongshan people honored their dead and the importance they placed on splendor and order in their beliefs about the afterlife. The careful arrangement of burial chambers and precious objects tell us about the values of this ancient society.
The site is best visited during daylight when natural light clearly illuminates the graves and structures. Sturdy footwear is recommended because the ground can be uneven and some areas may lack easy paths.
Excavations uncovered bronze vessels bearing more than 1,000 inscribed characters documenting the history of the Zhongshan kingdom. These written records are among the earliest sources offering deep insights into how this ancient monarchy operated.
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