Unearthing a Unique Burial Tradition

Along the fertile plains and rolling hills of China’s lower Yangtze region, an intriguing burial practice flourished during the Western Zhou period (1046-771 BCE) and beyond. The tumulus tombs (土墩墓) of Jiangnan represent a distinctive funerary tradition that differed markedly from contemporary burial customs in China’s Central Plains. These earthen mounds, scattered across southern Jiangsu, southern Anhui, Zhejiang, and Shanghai, reveal much about the cultural landscape of ancient China’s southeastern territories.

Unlike the deep vertical pit tombs common in northern China, Jiangnan’s tumulus tombs were constructed above ground. Builders would select natural hillocks or elevated areas in plains, arrange the deceased and grave goods directly on the surface, then pile up loose earth to form dome-shaped mounds resembling steamed buns. Some mounds contained single burials while others housed multiple interments – sometimes up to a dozen in one mound.

Architectural Variations and Regional Distribution

Archaeologists recognize two main types of these distinctive tombs. The simpler form consists purely of earthen mounds without burial chambers. The more complex variant, found around Lake Tai and Hangzhou Bay, incorporates stone chambers at the mound’s core, complete with passageways and massive stone roofing slabs. Some scholars consider these stone chamber variants as part of the broader tumulus tradition.

Dating evidence suggests these burial practices spanned an impressive timeline – from China’s legendary Xia-Shang transition period (around 1600 BCE) through the Warring States period (475-221 BCE). However, the Western Zhou era represents the cultural zenith of this tradition, making these tombs particularly valuable for understanding regional cultures during this pivotal historical phase.

Cultural Artifacts and Social Significance

The grave goods recovered from tumulus tombs paint a vivid picture of Jiangnan’s material culture. Pottery dominates the finds, including:

– Geometric stamped pottery (几何印纹陶)
– Proto-porcelain wares (原始瓷)
– Ritual vessels like li tripods and ding cauldrons
– Everyday containers such as jars, pots, and basins

Bronze artifacts, though less common, appear in select burials, signaling the occupant’s elevated status. The variation in grave goods across regions and periods provides crucial clues about technological development, trade networks, and social stratification in ancient Jiangnan.

Regional Variations in Burial Practices

Scholars divide Jiangnan’s tumulus tombs into two major regional traditions based on geographical and cultural differences:

### The Ningzhen District (宁镇地区)

Centered around modern Nanjing and Zhenjiang, this area contains the highest concentration of tumulus tombs. Excavations at sites like:
– Wushan in Lishui
– Fushan Orchard in Jurong
– Guluong and Yongning in Gaochun
– South Gangshan in Dantu

reveal three sub-regional styles distinguished by their grave goods and burial arrangements.

The first sub-region, west of Maoshan Mountain, typically features multiple burials per mound with distinct pottery assemblages. The second area, centered on Qianfengshan in Nanling County, shows different customs with single burials per mound and unique vessel types not found elsewhere. The third sub-region, east of Maoshan Mountain, represents later developments in the tradition, showing transitional features toward more familiar burial styles.

### The Tunxi District (屯溪地区)

This mountainous basin area stands out for its bronze-rich burials. The ceramic assemblages also differ markedly from Ningzhen region tombs, suggesting cultural distinctions within the broader Jiangnan tradition.

Chronological Development Through Four Phases

Through careful analysis of stratigraphic relationships and ceramic typologies, archaeologists have established a four-phase chronology for Ningzhen district tumulus tombs:

Phase I (Early Western Zhou): Characterized by burial stone platforms and distinctive li tripod vessels. Carbon dating of one tomb suggests an early Western Zhou date (around 1046-977 BCE).

Phase II (Middle Western Zhou): Shows the disappearance of li tripods and proliferation of ding cauldrons with angular decorations. Comparable porcelain dou stemmed cups appear in Central Plains burials of this period.

Phase III (Late Western Zhou): Introduces new vessel forms like zeng steamers and fu cauldrons. The Biedun tomb in Jintan, carbon-dated to 985 BCE (calibrated), belongs to this phase.

Phase IV (Spring and Autumn Period): Reveals further evolution with the appearance of proper burial pits and passageways. One carbon-dated example falls around 765-399 BCE.

Bronze Artifacts: Cultural Exchange and Local Innovation

The bronze artifacts from these tombs showcase fascinating cultural dynamics. While some pieces clearly imitate Central Plains styles, others display distinctive local characteristics:

– Ritual Vessels: The zun wine vessels and gui food containers appear with particular frequency, differing from northern emphasis on ding and li.
– Decorative Styles: Unique motifs like coiled serpent patterns (蟠虺纹) and intricate geometric designs adorn locally-produced bronzes.
– Technical Features: Some bronze ding cauldrons have distinctive semi-circular cross-section legs, a regional technological signature.

The Tunxi tombs have yielded particularly spectacular bronzes, including:
– Elaborate zun vessels with intricate openwork decoration
– Unique five-pillar artifacts of uncertain function
– Early bronze swords that may represent independent regional development

Ceramic Innovations and Proto-Porcelain

The tumulus tombs have proven particularly valuable for studying the development of early Chinese ceramics. The high-fired proto-porcelain wares (原始瓷) represent an important technological bridge between pottery and true porcelain. These vitrified stonewares appear in elegant forms like:
– Dou stemmed cups
– Yu jars with folded rims
– Elegant gui tureens
– Specialized ritual vessels like he wine pourers

The stamped geometric designs on many pottery vessels provide crucial evidence for reconstructing decorative traditions in this humid region where organic materials rarely survive.

Modern Research and Ongoing Discoveries

Since the 1950s, archaeological investigations have systematically studied tumulus tombs through:
– Regional surveys documenting distribution patterns
– Stratigraphic excavations analyzing mound construction sequences
– Typological studies of ceramic and bronze artifacts
– Scientific analyses including radiocarbon dating

Recent discoveries continue to refine our understanding. A 2019 excavation in Zhejiang’s Deqing County uncovered an exceptionally well-preserved tomb group with intact burial goods, providing fresh insights into ritual practices.

Cultural Legacy and Historical Significance

These ancient mounds represent more than just burial sites – they embody a distinctive cultural tradition that flourished along China’s southeastern frontier. The tumulus tombs reveal:
– Adaptation to local environmental conditions (high water tables)
– Persistence of regional traditions alongside Central Plains influences
– Technological innovations in metallurgy and ceramics
– Complex social hierarchies in what was once considered a “peripheral” region

As research continues, Jiangnan’s tumulus tombs promise to yield further insights into China’s diverse cultural heritage and the complex interplay between regional traditions and centralized state cultures in early Chinese civilization. Their distinctive earthen mounds stand as enduring monuments to the sophisticated cultures that thrived along the Yangtze’s lower reaches three millennia ago.