The Han Royal Mausoleum at Luozhuang

The Han Royal Mausoleum at Luozhuang lies one kilometre west of Luozhuang Village, Zaoyuan Town. Archaeological excavation was carried out from June 1999 to the end of 2000.

Covering an area of approximately 40,000 square metres, the tomb runs east to west with a central-cross-shaped layout. A passage extends from both the eastern and western sides of the burial chamber, which reaches a depth of around 20 metres. Over two phases of excavation, archaeologists uncovered 15 large burial pits together with 21 smaller burial and sacrificial pits.

Burial objects were neatly sorted and placed separately in different pits, forming an extremely rich collection. The relics fall into the following categories: First, ceremonial travel gear. A great number of figurines and horse skeletons were unearthed. Most notably, large pits for horses and carriages were discovered, containing three full-size original chariots: one battle chariot and two passenger carriages. Each was a single-shaft carriage drawn by four horses, fully equipped with complete fittings. These three chariots are of extraordinary archaeological significance for the study of carriage systems in the early Han Dynasty.

Second, provisions and daily supplies, including grain, meat, poultry, eggs and fish, alongside a wide variety of bronze and lacquer wares. Third, weapons and armour. Fourth, sacrificial remains, such as pits with cattle buried alive.

Of exceptional importance is the recently unearthed musical instrument pit, which yielded 19 bronze chime bells and 107 stone chime qing. Such a complete set is unparalleled across the whole country.

Classified by material, the unearthed cultural relics include pure gold artefacts, gilded bronze wares, bronze vessels, stone objects, ironware, pottery, lacquerware and bone artefacts. Many of these items were discovered for the first time, boasting high academic and artistic value.

Boasting a huge scale and high-grade burial goods, the Luozhuang Royal Mausoleum is the largest Han royal tomb ever found in Shandong Province and a rare find nationwide. It has the largest number of accompanying burial pits among all known Han royal mausoleums of the same type in China.

Combining the excavated artefacts with historical records from Records of the Grand Historian and Book of Han, scholars infer that the tomb most likely belonged to Lü Tai, King of the State of Lü, who was enfeoffed in Jinan (the city of Dongpingling) in the early Western Han Dynasty.

In conclusion, this royal mausoleum possesses profound academic significance and great potential for tourism development.