Fu Hao's Tomb
Fu Hao's Tomb, located in Yinxu, Henan, China, is a significant archaeological site from the Shang Dynasty (1600-1066 BCE). It is the only intact royal tomb discovered from this period and uniquely belongs to Fu Hao, one of the sixty-four consorts of King Wu Ding. Excavated in 1976, the tomb measures approximately 13 by 18.4 feet at the entrance and extends 24.6 feet deep. Within its confines, archaeologists unearthed over 1,600 artifacts, including the largest collection of jade ever found in a Shang tomb, alongside intricate carved items, ivory cups, and cowry shells. The tomb also reveals aspects of Shang burial practices, as it contained human skeletons, suggesting the practice of human sacrifice, a ritual common in various ancient cultures. This site not only highlights the artistry and cultural practices of the Shang Dynasty but also offers insights into the social structure of ancient China. Fu Hao's Tomb stands as a remarkable testament to the historical and cultural heritage of the era.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Fu Hao's Tomb
Related civilizations: Shang Dynasty, China.
Date: c. 1200 b.c.e.
Locale: Anyang, the last capital city of the Shang Dynasty
Fu Hao’s Tomb
Fu Hao (FEW HAH-oh) was one of the sixty-four consorts of King Wu Ding, the twelfth ruler of the Shang Dynasty (1600-1066 b.c.e.) in ancient China. Her tomb, excavated in 1976, is the only royal tomb that has been discovered intact and the only Anyang burial whose occupant can be confidently identified. More than a hundred bronzes bear the name of Fu Hao.
The relatively modest tomb consists of a shaft 13 feet (4 meters) by 18.4 feet (5.6 meters) at the mouth and 24.6 feet (7.5 meters) deep. Other Shang tombs excavated in the same area also had four access ramps, usually two short and two long, in the shape of a cross, but these tombs were looted and therefore hold few clues for archaeologists. Fu Hao’s tomb contained more than sixteen hundred objects, including the largest assemblage of jade ever unearthed. Other items include carved marble, carved bone, ivory cups inlaid with turquoise, seven thousand cowry shells, and eleven pieces of pottery. Among them are some of the best art objects of the Shang Dynasty.
The Shang Dynasty practiced human sacrifice. In Fu Hao’s tomb, sixteen human skeletons and the skeleton of a dog were found arranged in various locations. This was a common practice in some ancient burial rituals around the world.
Bibliography
Chang, K. C., ed. Studies of Shang Archaeology. New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1986.
Loewe, Michael, and Edward L. Shaughnessy, eds. The Cambridge History of Ancient China from the Origins of Civilization to 221 b.c.e. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 1999.