Mancheng Han tombs

Record summary

Two large Western Han cliff tombs excavated at Mancheng in 1968 were identified with Liu Sheng, Prince of Zhongshan, and his consort Dou Wan. Their sealed chambers yielded jade burial suits, lacquer, bronzes, textiles and other objects, providing unusually rich evidence for elite mortuary practice and Han material culture. The excavation also generated public fascination because of the spectacular preservation and the tombs’ association with named historical figures. Verification should distinguish excavated objects from later reconstructions and assess how securely each attribution rests on inscriptions and context.