How valuable is Shaanxi archaeology? Visit Shaanxi Archaeological Museum
Visiting the Shaanxi Archaeological Museum allows you not only to admire various exquisite cultural relics but also to witness the process of major tomb archaeological discoveries and the excavation of artifacts, offering a strong sense of immersion.
The "Archaeological Journey" section of the Shaanxi Archaeological Museum systematically traces the development of Shaanxi archaeology from its inception to its flourishing, highlighting significant tomb archaeological discoveries from various historical periods within Shaanxi.
These discoveries not only confirm Shaanxi's historical status as an "archaeological holy land" but also provide crucial physical evidence for studying the social structures, burial systems, and cultural arts of different periods.
✅Tomb archaeology in the Archaeological Journey exhibition
📌Prehistoric tombs
1️⃣Yangguanzhai site tombs, Gaoling District, Xi'an
Period: Middle Yangshao (5,700–5,000 years ago).
Significance of discovery: This is the largest ring-ditch settlement of the Miaodigou culture in the Guanzhong area. It marks the first discovery of a large cemetery from the Miaodigou culture period, filling an archaeological gap in the Middle Yangshao period. It provides important data for studying the burial customs, social forms, and early urban prototypes of prehistoric ancestors.
2️⃣Shimao site tombs, Shenmu
Period: Late Longshan to early Xia Dynasty (4,300–3,800 years ago).
Significance of discovery: This is the largest city site in East Asia around 4,000 years ago. Excavations yielded stone carvings of divine faces, large pottery eagles, and more, providing important evidence for studying prehistoric urban layouts, kingship, and sacrificial culture.
📌Zhou Dynasty tombs
1️⃣Zhouyuan site tombs, Baoji (e.g., Jiajia chariot and horse pit, Hejia chariot and horse pit)
Period: Western Zhou (1046–771 BC).
Significance of discovery: Excavations yielded well-preserved Western Zhou bronze-wheeled chariots, turquoise-inlaid bronze chariot and horse ornaments, and more, providing important physical evidence for studying the Western Zhou chariot and horse system, ritual and music system, and the layout of the Zhouyuan capital.
2️⃣Liangdaicun Two-Zhou Rui State tombs, Hancheng
Period: Western Zhou to Spring and Autumn.
Significance of discovery: Excavations yielded bronze tripods inscribed with "Duke Rui" and "Crown Prince Rui," confirming the capital site of the Rui State. Discoveries also included seven-jade-pendant necklaces, gold artifacts, wooden figurines, and more, providing important data for studying the tomb hierarchy of vassal states during the Two-Zhou period, the layout of chariot and horse pits, and the history of the Rui State.
3️⃣Liujiawa Spring and Autumn Rui State tombs, Chengcheng
Period: Spring and Autumn (770–476 BC).
Significance of discovery: Excavations yielded chime bells, stone chimes, small bronze jars (with residues of early male facial cream), and more, providing important data for studying the musical instrument suspension system, tomb hierarchy of vassal states, and social life during the Spring and Autumn period.
📌Qin and Han Dynasty tombs
1️⃣Tomb No. 1 of Duke Qin, Fengxiang District, Baoji
Period: Late Spring and Autumn (Tomb of Duke Jing of Qin).
Significance of discovery: This is the largest tomb of the pre-Qin period, featuring the earliest use of "huangchang tizou" (a specific burial structure) and the most human sacrifices. Excavations yielded inscribed stone chimes, providing important data for studying the lineage of the Dukes of Qin, tomb forms, and the burial system of the Qin people.
2️⃣Waliu Village Eastern Han dated tomb, Weicheng District, Xianyang
Period: Eastern Han (1st year of Yangjia to 5th year of Zhongping).
Significance of discovery: Excavations yielded pottery jars with dated red inscriptions, providing a reliable benchmark for the periodization and dating of Eastern Han tombs in the Guanzhong area and filling a significant gap in the Han Dynasty tomb sequence.
📌Sui and Tang Dynasty tombs
1️⃣Wei family tombs, Chang'an District, Xi'an (e.g., "Rongxian Mausoleum," Wei Xun's tomb)
Period: Tang Dynasty (High Tang).
Significance of discovery: This is the tomb complex of Empress Wei's family. Excavations yielded silver cups with wild goose and broken branch patterns, sancai twin-fish vases, murals, and more, providing important data for studying the tomb forms of Tang aristocrats, burial customs, and the history of the "Chengnan Weidu" family.
2️⃣Liu Zhi and his wife's tomb, Chang'an District, Xi'an
Period: Tang Dynasty (2nd year of Zongzhang, 669 AD).
Significance of discovery: Excavations yielded well-preserved jade pendant sets, gilded bronze ceremonial swords, and more, providing important data for studying the Tang Dynasty's official attire system and the style of high-ranking officials' accessories.
3️⃣Li Chui's tomb, Chang'an District, Xi'an
Period: Tang Dynasty (24th year of Kaiyuan, 736 AD).
Significance of discovery: Excavations yielded exquisite eight-lobed sunflower-shaped mother-of-pearl inlaid bronze mirrors, providing important data for studying Tang Dynasty mother-of-pearl inlay craftsmanship and aristocratic life.
4️⃣Shangguan Wan'er's tomb, Weicheng District, Xianyang
Period: Tang Dynasty (after the Tanglong Coup).
Significance of discovery: Excavations yielded Shangguan Wan'er's epitaph, providing conclusive textual and physical evidence to supplement Tang Dynasty history (e.g., the Tanglong Coup and Shangguan Wan'er's burial place).
5️⃣Luo Wanshun's tomb, Weicheng District, Xianyang
Period: Tang Dynasty (6th year of Tianbao, 747 AD).
Significance of discovery: Excavations yielded Yan Zhenqing's calligraphed epitaph, providing important physical evidence for studying the early evolution of Yan Zhenqing's calligraphy and Tang Dynasty epitaph calligraphy.
6️⃣Tomb of Lady Pei Shu, wife of Yuan Zhen, Weicheng District, Xianyang
Period: Tang Dynasty (5th year of Xiantong, 864 AD).
Significance of discovery: Excavations yielded Pei Shu's epitaph and a large number of pottery figurines, providing important data for studying late Tang social customs, burial systems, and the history of Yuan Zhen's family.
📌Song and Yuan Dynasty tombs
1️⃣Lu family tombs, Lantian County, Xi'an
Period: Northern Song (7th year of Xining to late Northern Song).
Significance of discovery: These are tombs of Northern Song literati. Excavations yielded imitation ancient ritual vessels, tea sets, incense burners, and more, providing important data for studying the elegant life of Northern Song literati, tea sacrificial rituals, and the Song Dynasty burial system.
2️⃣Pucheng Yuan Dynasty mural tomb
Period: Yuan Dynasty (1269 AD).
Significance of discovery: This is an octagonal domed brick tomb with brightly colored and well-preserved murals in the tomb chamber, providing important data for studying Yuan Dynasty tomb forms, folk beliefs, and social life scenes of the time.
✅Museum visit tips
📌Reservations and entry
Advance reservations: Make reservations via the "Shaanxi Archaeological Museum" WeChat official account. Reservations can be made up to 5 days in advance (including the current day), with tickets released daily at 8:00 AM. After successful reservation, you must use your second-generation ID card to enter through the turnstile.
Preferential policies: Active military personnel, retired military personnel, "three categories of dependents," seniors aged 65 and above, children aged 6 and below, and people with disabilities do not need to make reservations. They can enter with valid identification.
📌Opening hours
Regular opening: Daily 9:00 AM–5:00 PM. Ticket checking stops at 4:20 PM. Manual ticket collection is from 9:00 AM–4:00 PM.
Closure arrangements: Closed every Wednesday (except national holidays). During the summer (July 11–August 31), opening hours are extended to 9:00 AM–6:00 PM, with ticket checking stopping at 5:20 PM.