Ying Ruins, Anyang
Proposed World Heritage
Classification: Cultural Site
Location: North Henan Province
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Yiu Ruins Museum |
Located in north Henan Province, Anyang is the
site of the former capital city of the late Shang (also
known as Yin) dynasty, which controlled China from
c. 1300 BC to c. 1046 BC. The ruins bear witness to
a new era in China’s history, with a well-developed
economy, political and military systems, technology and
culture in what was a typical slave society. Inscriptions
on oracles found at the site are the earliest examples of
mature Chinese characters to have been discovered.
The late Shang was the first dynasty to leave
written historic records containing information on the
politics, economy, culture, religion, geography, astronomy,
calendar, art and medicine of the period and as such has
an important place in the history of Chinese civilisation.
On a more universal level, it forms one of the four major
ancient civilizations along with Egypt, Mesopotamia and
India. Of the writing systems of these civilisations, only
the Chinese characters found in the inscriptions at Anyang
are still in use today.
Covering an area of 30 square kilometres, the Yin
Ruins lie on both banks of the River Huan, northwest
of Anyang City. Based on studies from historical records,
King Pangeng, 20th ruler of the Shang dynasty, moved
his capital to Anyang where it remained until the end of
the dynasty which spanned eight generations and twelve
kings.In 1899, inscriptions on tortoise shells and cow
bones were discovered at Xiao Tun Village, confirming
the existence of a documented history of the Yin Xu. The
archaeological sites were discovered in the early 20th
century and the first excavations took place in 1928. By
1937, fifteen excavations had been carried out and since
1950, continuous efforts have been put into further
exploration of the site. In 1961, the State Council
proclaimed Anyang Yin Xu a protected historical site.
The nominated sites of Anyang Yin Ruins include
the Palace Area of Yin Xu and Fuhao Tomb located at
the Yin Ruins Palace Ancestral Worship Temple area
(Museum).
Outstanding Feature:
Sophisticated ancient Chinese
capital, and cradle of oracle inscriptions with mature
characters.
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Palace Area |
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Carriage and Horse
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The Main Scenic Spots:
Yin Palace Ancestral Worship Temple Area
This area, consisting of the foundations of around
eighty ancient constructions, is located to the south of
Huanhe River, northeast of Xiao Tun Village. About
160,000 fragments of tortoise shell and bone remains
with inscriptions have been unearthed, as well as a wellpreserved
tomb for a member of the Imperial family, the
so-called Fuhao Tomb. Surrounding this area there are
scattered craft workshops, a residential area and a civilian
cemetery.
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Sacrifices Altar
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Yin Palace Ancestral Worship
Temple Area |
Fuhao Tomb
The Fuhao Tomb is located in the Yin Palace
Ancestral Worship Temple area. A total of 1,928 items,
including bronze vessels, jade ware, bone ware, stone
tools, tortoise shells and bones with inscriptions, and sea
shells, were unearthed and are kept in Henan Museum,
Zhengzhou and in the Anyang campus of the Social
Sciences Institute of China.
According to ancient documents, Fuhao was a
female general and wife of King Wuding of the Shang
dynasty, and her tomb provides a significant insight into
Ancient China’s archaeology and history.
Palace Area
The Palace Area is located on the north bank of
Huanhe River, north of Hou Jia Zhuang (Hou’s
Mansion) and Wuguan Village. Thirteen imperial tombs
and thousands of altars have been unearthed and many
human and animal sacrifices have also been discovered.
A large number of tortoise shell and bone inscriptions
have been excavated during recent years, as well as fine
bronze vessels, production tools and utensils. One
extremely rare find is the Si Muwu Square Vessel,
weighing 875 kilograms. All the artefacts found at this
site illustrate the advanced development of the late Shang
dynasty civilisation.
Most of the imperial tombs and altars have been
re-buried and only a few pits, which are covered, are
kept for display and further study. These sites include
the Carriage and Horse Pit Museum, the Altar Pit
Museum and the Imperial Tombs Museum. For other
tombs in the area, cement pieces or plants are used to
show the shape and location of the graves.
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Inscriptions on Tortoise Shells
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