Mausoleum of the Prince of State of Zeng, early Warring States Period (475-221BC)

Location: Suizhou, Hubei Province

Period: Around 433 BC

Excavated in 1978

Significance: It has demonstrated the history of State of Zeng, which had not been recorded in ancient documents.

 Introduction 

Gold zhan (small cup): food container (up, height 11 cm); Chime of bells made of bronze: musical instrument (mid, the stand of bells is 265-273 cm in height); Bronze zun inside a bronze tray: wine vessel (bottom, height 23.5 cm)

In 1977, excavators in Hubei Province found a remarkably rich and undisturbed tomb. Inscriptions on some of the bronzes indicated that it belonged to Yi, marquis of the State of Zeng (Zenghou Yi in Chinese) and dated to about 433 BC in the Warring States Period. The existence of the State of Zeng was unknown until 1977, and it remains somewhat enigmatic. The tomb is 21 meters from west to east and 16.5 meters from north to south, covering about 220 square meters. About 15,404 articles were unearthed, mainly including bronze ritual vessels, musical instruments, weapons, chariots, jade, lacquer wares, and bamboo articles, etc.

Originally sunk to a depth of 13 meters, the tomb was packed with charcoal, and the shaft filled with clay, stone slabs, and earth. The durability of these materials, and the fact that the tomb became waterlogged, left it in a remarkable state of preservation, enabling archaeologists to determine precisely how goods were distributed in the four chambers. These chambers mirrored the arrangement of the marquis' palace during his life.

The eastern chamber, representing his private quarters, contained his own lacquered double coffin, the coffins of eight young women (ages thirteen to twenty-four) who were probably concubines or musicians to entertain Yi in the afterlife, and a dog buried in its own coffin. The chamber also contained weapons, a chariot, and many personal items, including furniture, a zither, silk, and vessels -- though not bronze vessels. The central chamber seems to have corresponded to the ceremonial hall of Yi's palace. Inside, was a large set of bronze bells and other instruments, together with bronze ritual vessels. The northern chamber served as an armory and storeroom, the western chamber, where thirteen more young women were buried, as servants' quarters.

The marquis' tomb illustrates a transition from tomb traditions that replicated the ritual environment of ancestral temples to a new conception of the tomb as a recreation of the deceased's earthly existence.

Zeng Houyi Bells

It is the largest set of bronze bells excavated in the world. It comprises 65 bells in various sizes, with each bell producing two different tones when struck. There are three levels, with the smallest bells suspended on the highest level and the largest ones on the bottom section. The bells cover roughly 5 octaves and the middle 3 octaves produces 12 semitones each. There is an inscription on each bell that records events, musical theories and the sound the particular bell products. From historical records and other materials, it is concluded that there are probably five performers involved in the playing of the bells, with two standing in front of the set playing the larger bells with long poles and three behind playing the smaller bells with smaller sticks.

The bell right in the centre of the lowest level and not suspended at an oblique angle was a gift from king Hui of Chu to Yi, the Marquis of Zeng State, as recorded in the inscription on it. The inscription also states that the bell was cast in the 56th year of the reign of King Hui (433BC), the year of the burial of Marquis Yi. The State of Zeng was a vassal state of Chu and was under the same cultural sphere.

Length of longer side 748cm, Height 265cm         

Length of shorter side 335cm, Height 273cm

Total weight 5 tons

Unearthed in 1978 from the Tomb of Yi, Marquis of Zeng State, Suizhou, Hubei Province

 Stone Chimes

Made of 32 pieces of marble slabs suspended on a 2-tier support, the stone chimes were often played together with the bronze bells. They produce clearer and higher tones when struck. There are 3 Octaves complete with 12 semitones each. The supporting columns are formed of bronze carvings of strange looking mythical animals. Serial numbers, the names of the musical notes and various other inscriptions are found on the set.

Height 109cm, Beam length 215cm        

Unearthed in 1978 from the Tomb of Yi, Marquis of Zeng State, Suizhou, Hubei Province