Ming-Grab des Prinzen von Lu, Ming Dynasty royal cemetery in Zoucheng, China
The Ming tomb of the Prince of Lu is a burial complex in Zoucheng containing thousands of excavated objects including ceramics, tools, and decorative items that reflect imperial court life. The structure displays typical features of elite Ming burials with carefully arranged chambers and passageways.
The Prince of Lu, the tenth son of the Hongwu Emperor, was buried at this site during the Ming Dynasty and received a burial befitting his royal rank. The grave goods and construction methods document the burial practices and artistic standards of this imperial period.
The tomb holds painted wooden figurines arranged as a ceremonial guard, reflecting how the Ming Dynasty honored its rulers in the afterlife through elaborate burial practices. These handcrafted pieces reveal the artistic skills and spiritual beliefs that shaped funeral traditions of the era.
The burial site sits in the rural area of Zoucheng, Shandong, and is surrounded by modern protective structures that preserve the archaeological remains and allow public access. Visitors should check conditions beforehand since archaeological sites can have varying access arrangements depending on research and conservation phases.
Archaeologists discovered a rare collection of Mongol-era texts inside the burial chamber, including an important manuscript on classical philosophy not typically found in imperial tombs. This finding reveals that the prince valued and sought to preserve writings from earlier dynasties even as the Ming represented a new ruling period.
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