Tombs of the Qin Dynasty (221-206BC)

Period: 3^rd century BC

Location: Yunmeng County, Hubei Province

Bamboo strips written with document of law: (up, length 23.8 cm-24.5 cm); Painted lacquer spoon with wooden body and in the shape of phoenix: kitchen utensil (bottom, height 13.3 cm); Flattened lacquer pot with colored painting of ox and horses: wine vessel or water vessel (in the background, height 22.8 cm)

Excavated in 1975

Significance: It has provided important materials for the study of politics, economy, culture and laws of the Qin Empire.

 Introduction

Tombs of Qin at Shuihudi are a group of graves from the end of the Warring State Period to the Qin Dynasty. By far, 12 Qin tombs at Shuihudi have been excavated, in which over 1,100 bamboo slips were discovered together with quite a few of brushes and ink-stones. By far, nine of the tombs of Qin at Longgang have been unearthed, together with 283 bamboo slips. The Lishu (official script) on the bamboo slips revealed the development process of Chinese calligraphy from Lishu to Kaishu (regular script); besides, these bamboo slips recorded the laws and iatrology of the Qin Dynasty, which are of great academic value to historical research.