A study of Xiongnu tombs
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Yueying Shan
Abstract
This paper makes an in-depth analysis to the Xiongnu tombs in the light of recently discovered data and new achievements in the study of relevant issues. It comprises four parts: distribution and date, unearthed typical artifacts, structural features and burial ritual, and periodization and zoning. By analyzing the unearthed artifacts, this paper sums up the general characteristics (identity) and traditional regional elements of the Xiongnu culture. By studying the tomb types, coffin structures and burial customs, this paper makes conclusions on the general characteristics, burial ritual systems and regional differences of Xiongnu tombs and their hierarchies reflected from the tomb structure and grave goods. Finally, based on the grave goods and tomb features, as well as the evolution and the identity and variety of burial ritual systems, this paper divides the available Xiongnu tombs into the early (late 3rd century BCE to mid 1st century CE), transitional (mid 1st century to early 2nd century CE) and late (early 2nd century to mid 3rd century CE) phases and, geographically, into the area from Transbaikalia to the middle Yellow River valley, that in the middle and upper Yellow River valley and that in Semirechye, with the first area further divided into four sub-areas. This paper believes that the first area was the dominion of the Xiongnu Empire; the second one, the region of the South Xiongnu submitting to the Han Dynasty; and the third one, the territory where the North Xiongnu launched their activities after their westward migration.
© 2012 by Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co.
Articles in the same Issue
- Masthead
- The Western Zhou cemetery at Dahekou in Yicheng County, Shanxi
- The Mudu Archaic City Site of the Spring-and-Autumn Period in Suzhou City, Jiangsu
- The Tuyoq Buddhist Grottoes in Shanshan County, Xinjiang
- The Laosicheng Site in Yongshun County, Hunan
- The sunken ship “Nan’ao I” of the Ming Dynasty in Shantou City, Guangdong
- Tomb No. 139 of the Shang Dynasty at Daxinzhuang, Jinan City
- Peng She’s tomb of the Chu State of the Spring-and-Autumn Period in Nanyang, Henan
- Late Paleolithic site at Locality S9 of Shizitan Complex in Jixian County, Shanxi
- Architectural Complex VI of Changle Palace, Han Chang’an City in Xi’an
- Excavation of the Yuyang Tomb of the Western Han Dynasty at Wangchengpo, Changsha, Hunan
- A mural tomb of the Northern Qi Dynasty at Shuiquanliang in Shuozhou, Shanxi
- The “Black Dragon Gate” site and Architectural Foundation No. 4 of Zuling Mausoleum precinct of the Liao Dynasty
- The excavation of a stone crypt of the Liao Dynasty in Chaoyang City, Liaoning
- A preliminary study on the fu and yue institution in ancient China
- Reexamination of the pre-Qin muji (grave sacrifice) institution
- Also on the typology of bow-shaped objects and relevant issues
- Differentiation of two types of cultural remains of the Eastern Zhou Period in North China: on the relationships among the Rong, Di and the Hu
- A study of Xiongnu tombs
- A study of Xianbei tombs
- A Study of ancient Tibetan gold and silver ware
- Concerning string cutting, tuo (emery wheel) cutting and tuo carving – and discussion of the date the tuo began to be used
- Prehistoric settlements and environment of West Liaohe River Valley
- On the subsistence practices of the Shi’erqiao Culture: focused on zooarchaeology
- The consumption, utilization and supply of sheep and goats at the late Shang Dynasty capital: a zooarchaeological study on the sheep and goat remains unearthed in the Yinxu area
Articles in the same Issue
- Masthead
- The Western Zhou cemetery at Dahekou in Yicheng County, Shanxi
- The Mudu Archaic City Site of the Spring-and-Autumn Period in Suzhou City, Jiangsu
- The Tuyoq Buddhist Grottoes in Shanshan County, Xinjiang
- The Laosicheng Site in Yongshun County, Hunan
- The sunken ship “Nan’ao I” of the Ming Dynasty in Shantou City, Guangdong
- Tomb No. 139 of the Shang Dynasty at Daxinzhuang, Jinan City
- Peng She’s tomb of the Chu State of the Spring-and-Autumn Period in Nanyang, Henan
- Late Paleolithic site at Locality S9 of Shizitan Complex in Jixian County, Shanxi
- Architectural Complex VI of Changle Palace, Han Chang’an City in Xi’an
- Excavation of the Yuyang Tomb of the Western Han Dynasty at Wangchengpo, Changsha, Hunan
- A mural tomb of the Northern Qi Dynasty at Shuiquanliang in Shuozhou, Shanxi
- The “Black Dragon Gate” site and Architectural Foundation No. 4 of Zuling Mausoleum precinct of the Liao Dynasty
- The excavation of a stone crypt of the Liao Dynasty in Chaoyang City, Liaoning
- A preliminary study on the fu and yue institution in ancient China
- Reexamination of the pre-Qin muji (grave sacrifice) institution
- Also on the typology of bow-shaped objects and relevant issues
- Differentiation of two types of cultural remains of the Eastern Zhou Period in North China: on the relationships among the Rong, Di and the Hu
- A study of Xiongnu tombs
- A study of Xianbei tombs
- A Study of ancient Tibetan gold and silver ware
- Concerning string cutting, tuo (emery wheel) cutting and tuo carving – and discussion of the date the tuo began to be used
- Prehistoric settlements and environment of West Liaohe River Valley
- On the subsistence practices of the Shi’erqiao Culture: focused on zooarchaeology
- The consumption, utilization and supply of sheep and goats at the late Shang Dynasty capital: a zooarchaeological study on the sheep and goat remains unearthed in the Yinxu area
