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Original text of Yangcheng School/Xia Yang
Recently, the archaeological journal “Huaxia Archaeology” published the “2016-2017 Archaeological Excavation Brief for Anyang Gaoling Cemetery Ruins”. The topic of “Cao Cao’s Tomb” that has been paid attention to for ten years has once again appeared in the public eye.
Staff in front of “Cao Cao’s Tomb” Photo/Xinhuanet
As a household name in China, Cao Cao’s past and afterlife were all very topical. Especially after his death, coupled with the legendary renderings of literary works and historical legends, it became more confusing. Legends such as “The Golden Captain” and “72 Suspicious Tombs” are the most talked about.
Stills/Data Pictures of the TV series “Jingjue Ancient City”
It has been 10 years since the initial discovery of the “Cao Cao’s Tomb”. Although Cao Cao’s tomb was officially recognized, it was questioned. Later, with the discovery of the new Cao Wei tomb, the chain of evidence became more and more complete, and the voices of doubt gradually weakened.
The arch of the front room of “Cao Cao’s Tomb” Photo/Xinhuanet
After the past ten years of exploration and controversy, we look back and think about: Why did the process of discovering and identifying Cao Cao’s tomb bend be full of twists and turns? How should we view the legends in history? How did the mysteries surrounding Cao Cao’s tomb come into being?
Cao Cao in film and television dramas/data picture
The discovery of “Gaoling” has caused ten years of controversy
2Around 008, a large tomb was stolen in Xigaoxue Village, Anyang, Henan Province. With the approval of the State Administration of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, the Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology carried out protective excavations. 2009Babaylan 1990 cloth draw was shocking news came out at the archaeological discovery briefing held in Beijing in 1990: The tomb was initially confirmed to be “Cao Cao Gaoling”!
Instructions for Archaeological Discovery/Southern Metropolis Daily
After expert demonstration, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage recognized this judgment. The excavation project was also rated as the “Top Ten Archaeological Discoveries in China in 2009” and became a national cultural heritage protection unit in 2013. But at the same time, various doubts are like floods, and there are also voices of criticism from well-known professors and scholars.
Some of the questions went beyond the scope of academic discussions, pointing out that the local government rashly concluded the “Cao Cao’s tomb” in order to seek economic benefits.
Photo of Cao Cao was painted in the Ming Dynasty/data picture
The tomb was severely stolen during the archaeological excavation, but fortunately more than 200 objects were left. The most important ones are 7, engraved with inscriptions such as Babaylan 1990 cloth draw “The tiger’s halberd is often used by King Wu of Wei” and “The tiger’s short spear is often used by King Wu of Wei”. Among the cultural relics recovered by the police from the tomb robbers, there is also a stone pillow engraved with the “Stone of comforting the neck that King Wu of Wei often used.”
These are key cultural relics to determine the identity of the tomb owner. But some people questioned, how could I hold stone cards for every funeral item? In ancient times, bamboo slips were used to register burial objects, and Cao Wei also used stone tablets. Is it a regression in history? Some people also proposed the title of “King Wu of Wei” to confuse Yin and Yang names, and some even questioned that the stone tablet was suspected of being faked!
Stone plaque unearthed from “Cao Cao’s Tomb” Picture/Oriental Daily
And, the tomb is also out ofSome gold, silver and jade products. So some people questioned that this was inconsistent with the historical records of Cao Cao’s promotion of burial, and they inferred that this was not Cao Cao’s tomb.
Faced with various aggressive doubts, the cultural relics and archaeology department chose to remain silent for a while to wait for more evidence to appear. After all, the identification of cultural relics requires objective and scientificity. When the evidence is insufficient, anyone can express different opinions.
Celadon jars were unearthed from the tomb Photo/Henan Business Daily
In 2016, another large Cao Wei tomb was found in Xizhu Village, Luoyang, but due to serious excavation, the identity of the tomb owner has not been determined. The tomb was built in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, but it is different from the north-south direction of the Eastern Han Dynasty imperial tombs, and is in the east-west direction like the “Cao Cao Tomb”.
The excavation site of Xizhu Village tomb Photo/Luoyang Evening News
Also confirmed with the large tomb of Xizhu Village, a east-west Cao Wei noble tomb was found in the Han imperial tomb in Shandong, Luoyang in 2009. The unearthed bronze seal shows that the owner of the tomb was Cao Xiu, a famous general of Cao Wei and the Grand Sima, who was the nephew of Cao Cao.
Cao Xiu/data picture in the TV series “Military Advisors Alliance”
The “Cao Xiu” bronze seal that proves the identity of the tomb owner Photo/Xinhuanet
The most important information is that a large number of stone plaques like the “Cao Cao Tomb” were unearthed from the Xizhu Village tomb. This cleared the suspicion of the stone plaque of “Cao Cao’s Tomb” as a forgery.
The low-value stone tablets unearthed from Cao Wei’s tomb are also consistent with Cao Cao’s advocacy of thin burials. But all three tombs were excavatedBabaylan 1990 cloth draw, severe damage, limited unearthed cultural relics, and some information is still difficult to draw conclusions. However, some scholars infer that perhaps the burial objects written on the stone tablet in the tomb of Cao Wei may be just a name and have not been buried in the physical objects.
Stone plaques unearthed from the tomb of Xizhu Village/Data picture
Other burial vessels in the tomb are mostly symbolic bright vessels, such as Gui and Bi, are made of stone, and the tripod is made of pottery. The burial tripod is the exclusive treatment of the emperor. Using a pottery tripod instead of a copper tripod is not only in line with the rules but also insignificant meaning of burial!
The ritual vessel is made of ceramic picture/@Henan Business Daily
The ritual vessel is made of stone Photo/Today’s Morning News
Does gold, silver and jade unearthed from “Cao Cao’s tomb” violate the style of burial? Archaeological experts explained that these are all accessories on the clothes of the tomb owner when he was buried, such as gold buttons, gold wire, etc., and are not burial objects. This is consistent with the saying that “dwelling with the current clothes” in Cao Cao’s order.
The unearthed small amount of jade agate products Photo/China News Service
The historical facts are clear, why are there still “72 doubtsKomiks 1960 witch cloth draw tummit” legend?
When the archaeological community identified the “Cao Cao Tomb”, there were many doubts from all walks of life, which was also related to the mystery of the Cao Cao Tomb itself. It is said that there are “72 doubts” in Cao Cao’s tomb. How can such a secret tomb be easily found? Therefore, there are natural opposition in the official recognition of the people, and even doubts about the accuracy and objectivity of the archaeological excavation information.
The tomb passage of the “Cao Cao Tomb” Photo/China News Service
Cao Cao Cao is famous in Chinese history and culture. There are many factors in this, from historical facts on the one hand, and from literary legends on the other.
Cao Cao in history was an outstanding politician, military strategist, and writer. However, since the Northern Song Dynasty, due to political needs and preferences for literary legends, the treacherous and suspicious side of Cao Cao’s personality was magnified, and his image was stereotyped as a treacherous hero. His tomb site was not detailed. He also took the blame and became a proof of his treacherous. The Song people Yu Yingfu’s poem “Cao Cao’s suspicious tomb” says: “I deceived the heavens and the Han dynasty during his lifetime, and deceived people and set up suspicious tombs after his death. ”
Statue of Cao Cao/Data Picture
In the Ming Dynasty, Luo Guanzhong’s “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” established Shu Han as orthodox, used literary techniques to exaggerate Cao Cao’s treacherous character, and designed Cao Cao’s legacyKomiks 1960 witch clothes drawThe plot of 72 suspicious tombs west of Yecheng. There is an article in Pu Songling’s “Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio” that follows this statement and says that Cao Cao’s tomb may add a layer of mystery beyond the “72 suspicious tombs”.
Stills from the TV series “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” / Data Picture
About Cao Cao’s tomb, it is still circulated among the people in YechengFour legends: one says that “72 suspicious tomb” is located west of Yecheng, the second says that Cao Cao’s tomb is at the bottom of the Zhanghe River, the third says that it is outside Xuchang City, and the fourth says that it is under the Tongquetai of Yecheng.
At the side of the Zhang River west of Yecheng, there are indeed groups of ancient tombs distributed. This is the location of Cao Cao’s “72 Tombs” (actually 134) legendary “Cinema 1950 witch cloth draw”. However, it has been confirmed that it belongs to the Northern Dynasties tomb group, and the tomb of the Lanling King is among them.
Lanling King/Data Picture in Film and Television Drama
Why is the theory of doubting the tomb widely circulated? Some scholars analyzed that this is related to people’s wishes. Influenced by artistic works and folk legends, ordinary people thought Cao Cao was treacherous and were willing to believe that he would set up suspicious tombs.
However, to determine that tombs are serious academic issues, a rigorous and scientific attitude must be maintained. In the face of this kind of problem, we must clarify the boundaries between literature, art, legend and official history, and return to history itself to explore historical figures.
White-faced Cao Cao in Peking Opera Picture/International Online
In fact, if we look at Cao Cao’s tomb from a historical perspective, we will find that it is not mysterious and the clues are quite clear. In his later years, Cao Cao issued the “End Order” to arrange his funeral, saying that “the West of the West is the Babaylan 1990 clothes draw“; before his death, he said in the “Legend of Order” that “buried in Xigang in Ye, similar to the West of the Ximenbao Temple.”
Historical materials from later generations show that Cao Cao was not a secret burial after his death, and no doubt was set up. Records of “The Three Kingdoms” and “Book of Jin” and other records that in 220 AD, Cao Cao died in Luoyang, and his coffin was transported back to Yecheng and buried in the hills west of the Leopard Temple in the West Gate of Yecheng.
The ruins of Yecheng are in Linzhang, Hebei Province. Data map
Until the Tang Dynasty, people had no doubt about the location of Cao Cao’s tomb. When Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty passed by Goryeo, he also worshiped Cao Cao’s tomb and wrote a sacrifice. This shows that at least in the Tang Dynasty, the location of Cao Cao’s tomb was very clear.
However, because Cao Cao’s tomb was “not sealed or treed”, there was no Cinema 1950 witch clothes on the surface. The obvious sign of draw was gradually lost in the mountains and fields over time, and the specific location was difficult to explain. Especially the Ximen Bao Temple, which is used as a reference for the location, the buildings on the ground were also unstoppable. This made Cao Cao’s tomb really a mystery.
Schematic diagram of the location of “Cao Cao’s tomb”/Data picture
Strive against tradition and lead the trend of “small burial” for 400 years
Cao Cao advocated small burial. Before his death, he issued a “State Order” requiring him to “bury with clothes” and “no treasures hidden in gold and jade” after his death. His son followed his will. Cao Pi’s “State Article” and Cao Zhi’s “Essay” both describe the funeral and the burial situation. He wore repaired clothes when he was buried.
The scene of Cao Cao’s funeral in film and television dramasCinema 1950 witch cloth draw/Data picture
Cao Chuo was a hero of a generation and “used the emperor to command the princes”. He was actually the ruler of the Han Dynasty. Although he was only the “King of Wei” during his lifetime, he actually enjoyed the treatment of an emperor. Shortly after his death, his son Cao PiHe abolished Emperor Xian of Han and established the Cao Wei regime and posthumously named him “Emperor Wu of Wei”. There is indeed similar manifestation in the information of Xigaoxue Village TombKomiks 1960 witch cloth draw. The scale of the tomb did not reach the imperial level, but Komiks 1960 witch cloth draw, but Babaylan 1990 cloth draw buried the emperor’s exclusive “die”.
The Tomb of Xigaoxue Village Photo/Xinhuanet
Cao Cao advocates thin burial, showing the spirit of a generation of heroes. After all, Chinese culture respects filial piety, and emperors “govern the world with filial piety”, so descendants must always bury their ancestors to show filial piety.
The tradition of grand burials of emperors in China has a long history. Qin Shihuang’s underground Terracotta Warriors and Horses shocked the world. Emperor Wu of Han used one-third of the world’s taxes to repair Maoling. Liu Sheng, the princes of the Han Dynasty, wore golden jade clothes when they were buried. The land of Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty Zhaoling was “not different from the world”…
Terracotta Warriors and Horses of Qin Shihuang in Xi’an Photo/Visual China
Why did Cao Cao advocate thin burial? There are many reasons. Objectively speaking, there were many wars in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, and the people’s livelihood in the Central Plains was in decline. “The army was in the fifteenth, and the return was at the eightyth anniversary of the year”, “White bones were exposed in the wilderness, and there was nowhere to be seen in the 1960 witch clothes draw rooster crowing”. Cao Cao’s advocacy of burial is to be sympathetic to the people and deserves praise.
The wars and chaos in the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty/Data picture
In fact, as the founder of the Cao Wei regime, Cao Cao had a high position and was in power, so he should be in short supply of money. The reason why he advocated thin burial against tradition is related to his personal value tendency. The Book of Wei said that Cao Cao was “elegant and frugal, not fancy,” so it was natural for him to propose “small burial” in his late years.
Cao Cao’s practice has opened up the 400-year burial style of the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties. It was not until the Tang Dynasty that the tradition of burial was restored again.
Cao Cao in history was very frugal/Data picture
Of course, Cao Cao’s promotion of thin burials in Komiks 1960 witch clothes draw was also related to the saying “Feedling the gold lieutenant”. In order to raise food and money, Cao Cao set up the positions of “Golden Crown Captain” and “Faqiu General” in the army, and specialized in digging graves and plundering gold and silver to fill military money. Therefore, Cao Cao was known as the “ancestor of the Mojin School” in later generations. This statement is mentioned in Chen Lin, one of the “Seven Sons of Jian’an”, a famous article “Expression to Yuzhou for Yuan Shao”.
The movie “The Dragon Search”Stills/Data Photo
Cao Cao, who is so familiar with tomb robbers, naturally thought that behind him might be “treated by the way he is to treat others.” He knew that tomb robbers were seeking money, and tomb robbers who did not have burial objects were not very interested. Therefore, it is recommended to bury the poor and deliberately leave records. This is inevitable that there is the consideration of fear of being disturbed by tomb robbers behind me.
Cao Cao in the TV series “Military Advisors Alliance”/Data Picture
What Cao Cao didn’t expect was that although he advocated “thin burial” and later generations helped him interpret the “72 suspicious tombs”, he ultimately failed to escape the embarrassment of being disturbed by the tomb robbers of later generations!
The ancestor of tomb robbers also encountered the embarrassment of being robbed by tombs/data photo
The road to discovering and identifying the “Cao Cao Tomb” in Xigaoxue Village, Anyang has been going through ten years. As an academic issue, although we have basically the same views at present, we still need to continue to maintain an open mind and accept various views. After all, taking every possible doubt rigorously will help us to keep getting closer to the historical truth and finally reach the truth!
Full evidence can clear away the fog of history/data image
Source｜Yangcheng School
Column host｜Xia Yang
Editor｜Xie Zhe