In China, archaeologists have recently unearthed a pit dating back 2,400 years, containing the remains of horses and chariots believed to be associated with a member of an ancient royal household. This discovery is part of a cluster of tombs believed to house the remains of noble families from the Zheng State, which intermittently governed the region between 770 and 221 BC. The ongoing excavation of the surrounding land has revealed 18 large pits containing horses and chariots, along with more than 3,000 tombs.
An excavation in China has revealed a pit dating back 2,400 years, housing the remains of horses and chariots thought to be associated with a member of an ancient royal household. The provided image captures a researcher examining one of the chariots discovered at the site.
The Zhou Dynasty
The Zhou dynasty succeeded the Shang dynasty and preceded the Qin dynasty, holding sway for a longer duration than any other in Chinese history.
The military dominance of China by the Ji royal house spanned from 1046 until 771 BC, marking the Western Zhou period.
Centralized authority waned during the Spring and Autumn period (770 to 476 BC) and the Warring States period (475 to 221 BC).
Throughout these epochs, the Zhou court exerted minimal influence over constituent states engaged in warfare amongst themselves until the Qin state consolidated power and established the Qin Dynasty in 221 BC.
The Zhou Dynasty had formally collapsed a mere 35 years before this discovery, although its power had become nominal at that point.
Archaeologists made this significant find near the city of Xinzheng in Henan Province, central China.
Since February, four chariots and the skeletons of over 90 horses have been unearthed from the pit. This pit stands as the largest among three pits within a group of tombs recently excavated, according to reports from Xinhua, the Chinese state news agency.
Ma Juncai from the provincial Cultural Heritage and Archaeology Institute, who led the excavation, stated to Xinhua, “As the main tomb has been looted and no written records have been found yet, it is difficult to identify the tomb owner.”
It is estimated that more than 100 horses are buried in the pit, which has also yielded a number of bronze artifacts.
These findings provide insights into the technology and production methods employed during the period, as well as offering glimpses into the social status of the family and the funeral practices of that era.
Although the specific identity of the tomb’s occupant remains unknown, it is speculated that three of the chariots were intended for daily use by a Zheng State Lord and his wife.
One particular chariot stood out from the others, being larger and more extravagantly adorned, suggesting a more ceremonial purpose. This chariot measures around eight feet (2.56 meters) in length and five and a half feet (1.66 meters) in width.
The pit is part of a cluster of tombs believed to house the remains of noble families from the Zheng State, who ruled the region intermittently between 770 and 221 BC. Experts are carefully examining the site.
Excavation of the surrounding land has already uncovered 18 large pits containing horses and chariots, along with more than 3,000 tombs.
The pit itself featured rain and sun protection and was adorned with bronze and bone artifacts.
It is believed that the horses were ritually killed before being placed into a pit adjacent to the owner’s tomb, and dismantled chariots would then be laid on top.
Over thousands of years, the centralized power held by the Zhou Dynasty diminished during the Spring and Autumn period (770 to 476 BC) and the Warring States period (475 to 221 BC), culminating in the rise of the Zheng State to prominence.
Since February, archaeologists have unearthed four chariots and the skeletons of 90 horses from the pit. The image depicts the remains tagged for later analysis.
This pit stands out as the largest among three within a cluster of tombs excavated in the region so far.
Notably, similar burials have been discovered before. In 2011, archaeologists meticulously uncovered the nearly 3,000-year-old remains of horses and wooden chariots in a Zhou Dynasty tomb in Luoyang, Henan Province, approximately 75 miles (120 km) away.
The pits also yielded well-preserved evidence of bronzeware and ceramics from the Early Western Zhou Dynasty.
It is believed that more than 100 horses are buried in the pit, where several bronze artifacts have also been uncovered. In the accompanying image, archaeologists are inspecting the remains.
Experts assert that the artifacts and remains pictured disclose insights into the technology and production methods of the time, shedding light on the social status of the family and the funeral practices prevalent during that period.
It is thought that the horses underwent a ritual killing before being interred in a pit adjacent to the owner’s tomb, with dismantled chariots then laid on top.
Archaeologists made this significant discovery near the city of Xinzheng, in central China’s Henan Province.