Northern Qi Tomb of Ku Di Ye at Taiyuan

Taiyuan Municipal Institute of Antiquity and Archaeology

Keywords: Taiyuan Northern Qi Ku Di Ye tomb

In March of 1984, while constructing the foundation for chamber. It is 0.8 m long, 2.2 m high, and 1.1 m wide. the local School of Coal Management, workers stumbled Further north is the tomb chamber. upon several ancient tombs. About a dozen tombs dating The tomb chamber is also dug out of the surrounding from the Northern Qi to Song, Jin periods have since earth. The floor plan is trapezoidal-shaped, 4.2 m long, been excavated. The most important tomb is that of Ku 2.6 m wide at the south end, 2.1 m wide at the north end, Di Ye 库狄业, described as follows. and at the east and west ends are earthen platforms, 0.6 m high, 0.35–0.4 m wide. The ceiling has collapsed, but I. Tomb Structure and Coffin remaining fragments indicate that the original ceiling Ku Di Ye’s tomb has a single dug-out chamber aligned was vaulted, 2.5 m high in front, 2.4 m wide at the rear. at 180 degrees. The tomb floor is 6.4 m below the present Judging from the two corners of the south wall, one can ground level. The ramp is to south of the tomb chamber, surmise that the tomb was cave-shaped with a vaulted 15 m long, 1.5 m wide at the top, 1 m wide at the bottom, ceiling. There is a robber’s hole, 0.5 m in diameter, at the inclining at an angle of 28 degrees. An area of 7–8 m at northeast corner of the tomb chamber (see Fig. 1). the front part of the ramp had been altered by construc- The scattered remains of iron hinges and door fit- tion and could not be recovered. tings at the chamber entrance indicate that there was once The rear section (north) of the ramp turns into a dug- a wooden door, also largely symbolic in function. out vaulted passage chamber, 1.2 m long, 2.2 m high, and Water that came through the collapsed ceiling was 0.9 m wide. Its west wall is flush with the wall of the mixed with pieces of rotted timber, but the original ramp. Ceramic shards have been recovered from both the structure of the coffin can no longer be reconstructed. In ramp and passage chamber. the middle of the tomb chamber, slightly to the west, The north side of the passage chamber leads into a there are two human skeletons, heads pointing south, courtyard, 1.4 m long, 0.65 m wide. It has a stone door with torsos and limbs stretched out straight and facing fashioned out of conglomerate rock, uneven in size and up. The bodies have extensively decomposed, and only crudely incised with patterns. They are no tenon and are a few teeth remain. A rough estimate suggests that the fitted together like toy bricks. The lintel is shaped like a one on the east side with larger bones would be the male, semi-circle, the lower edge carved into a raised ridge 18 while the one on the west side would be the female cm high, 4 cm thick, framing the door. Above are three spouse. A barely discernible wood frame must have been plate-like ornaments with nipples. The two panels of the part of the original coffin, 1.85 m long, 0.65 m wide. stone door are rough on the back but smooth in front. The Based on the existing evidence, it can be concluded that stone door is 150 cm high, and the front has three rows the two skeletons were placed in the same coffin (See of nipple ornaments, four in each row. The hinges at the Fig. 1). top of the two panels are uneven in size, and there are no II. Tomb Furnishings hinges at the base. This stone door is clearly symbolic in function. It can be speculated that the stone door was Over 120 objects have been recovered from this tomb. made after the burial and was immediately sealed and All of them were once placed inside the tomb chamber. compacted with dirt in order to hold them in place (Fig. They consist of ceramics, metal objects, bronzes, one set 1). of stone epitaph, etc.. North of the stone door is a tunnel. It is also dug out 1. There are over 80 tomb figurines, and can be of the earth and is slightly wider than the passage identified as guardian figurines, figurines wearing three-

Volume 4 123 N

0 1 m

Fig. 1 Plan and elevation of Ku Di Ye tomb

cornered hoods with flaps, figurines with shields, figu- Figurines with round helmets, twelve, T84QS46-1, rines with armor, figurines with helmets, etc.. 23.2 cm tall. He wears round helmet, beige cape, maroon Tomb guardian warriors, two. One of them, T84QS2 tunic, black shoulder shield, white trousers, and round- is 51.6 cm tall, with raised chest, protruding belly, and a tipped shoes. The right arm is bent forward and lowered, ferocious countenance. On his head is a hat with an the left hand is clasping the belt. upturned brim, and he wears a fish-scale shiny armor, Figurines with hoods and flaps, eleven, T84QS41-6, black belt, white trousers and shoes. His left hand holds 23.2 cm tall. He wears hood with flap, right collared a shield, and his right hand seems to have held a weapon maroon vests, white trousers, and round-tipped shoes. as the palm of his hand is pierced with a hole (Fig. 2). His both arms raised and bent as if wielding weapons as Figurines with three-cornered hoods fall into two their palms are pierced with a hole (Fig. 6). types. Eighteen of them belong to Type I, T84QS37-5, Figurines with shields. They can be grouped into two 27.5 cm in height. He wears black three-cornered hood types. Six belong to Type I, T84QS45-1, 27 cm tall. He with flap, red vest, black belt, white trousers and round- wears red three-cornered hood with flap, red shiny armor, tipped shoes. Covering his shoulder is white fur cape. His white trousers, and black boots. He has protruding eyes right arm is raised as if wielding a weapon while his left and knitted brows. The left hand holds the shield, the arm is slightly lowered and bent (Fig. 3). Eleven of them right hand is raised and bent as if wielding a weapon (Fig. belong to Type II, T84QS35-1, 25.5 cm in height. He 7). There are 20 examples of Type II, T84QS39-6, 22.4 wears black three-cornered hood with flap, maroon vest, cm tall. He wears a beige head scarf, maroon inner belt, white trousers and black shoes (Fig. 4). garment, vest, and the right shoulder is bare. He also Armored figurines, three. T84QS38-2, 27.3 cm tall. wears white trousers and round-tipped shoes. A bag is He wears round helmet, fish-scale armor, maroon fur slung over the left shoulder, the left hand holds the shield, cape, white trousers, and round-tipped shoes. On the left and the right hand is bent in front as if carrying an object. side of the chest is a hole where a weapon would have Female officials, six. T84QS43-1. The clay body is been held. The right arm is slightly lowered in front while finely textured and sturdy, and measures 21.8 cm in the left arm rests on the stomach (Fig. 5). height. She has a narrow waist and a long neck, wearing

124 Chinese Archaeology Fig. 2 Ceramic tomb guardian (T84QS2) Fig. 3 Ceramic figurine with a three- Fig. 4 Ceramic figurine with a three-cor- cornered hood (T84QS37-5) nered hood (T84QS35-1)

Fig. 5 Ceramic figurine with armor (T84 Fig. 6 Ceramic figurine with a round top Fig. 7 Ceramic figurine with a shield QS38-2) hood (T84QS41-6) (T84QS45-1)

Volume 4 125 Fig. 8 Ceramic female official (T84QS43-1) Fig. 9 Ceramic female official with a sword Fig. 10 Ceramic attendant (T84QS44-1) (T84QS42-1)

small maroon hood and wide-sleeved tunic; her hands are clasped together in front of the chest (Fig. 8). Female officials with swords, three. T84QS42-1, 25.8 cm tall. She wears small black hood, wide-sleeved tunic, and belt. The right hand is holding a sword erected upright on the ground, and the left hand is lowered in front (Fig. 9). Female attendants, two, both broken, T84QS44 -1, headless, and the fragments measure 16 cm in height. She wears wide-sleeved jacket. The right hand rests on the stomach, and the left arm is bent downward (Fig. 10). 2. Animal figurines consisting of one guardian beast, one clay horse, and one clay chicken. Guardian beast, one (T84QS8), 36 cm tall, with human face, horse’s ears, animal torso, horse’s hooves. It is in a crouching position (Fig. 11). Earthenware chicken, one (T84QS5), 10 cm long and 9 cm tall. Earthenware horse, one, damaged with only the head. 3. Ceramic vessels Eight ceramic vessels include a ceramic lamp,

Fig. 11 Ceramic guardian beast (T84QS8) chicken-headed ewer, tall-neck vase, and such. The body is fashioned out of Gaoling 高岭 clay, slightly grainy in

126 Chinese Archaeology Fig. 12 Ceramic lamp (T84QS12) Fig. 13 Ceramic chicken-headed ewer (T84QS13)

texture, porous, and highly water-absorbent. The vessels many areas unglazed (Fig. 14). are unevenly covered with a greenish-yellow glaze. Spittoon, one (T84QS11), 12.5 cm tall, mouth open- There are ten earthenware vessels consisting of bowls, ing on the side, short collar, with flattened belly, round basins, cups, etc.. at the base, and ring-footed. It is entirely covered with a Ceramic lamp, one (T84QS12), assembled from a crackle pattern. lamp, lamp stand, and lamp base, 38 cm tall. The base is Stoneware basin, one (T84QS18), 35 cm in diameter, an inverted lotus with ornamental petals encircled at the 3 cm tall, is straight-sided with flat base, glazed on the bottom with the design of a string of pearls. The lower inner surface. section of the stand has a floral pattern, the middle Stoneware boxes with latch, two, both with grooved section has four strings of pearls, and the top has a floral rims, straight-sided, and flat at the bottom. T84QS34 is pattern. The lamp has a diameter of 16.7 cm. The bottom 8 cm in diameter, 2.1 cm in height. of the lamp is shaped like an upturned lotus, and the basin Stoneware plate, one (T84QS19), 9.9 cm in diameter, has eight lotus blossoms (Fig. 12). and 1.5 cm in height. Chicken-headed ewer, one (T84QS13), 46 cm tall, Earthenware pots, two. T84QS32 has gray clay has a dish mouth with a slender neck, large belly, and flat body, 25.5 cm in height, mouth slightly turned to the side, foot. The belly is incised with a single convex line short neck, round belly, and flat bottom. The shoulder is pattern, the shoulder has a chicken head and four bridge- decorated with two incised lines, and the space between like loops ornamented with floral designs. Opposite the the two lines is incised with a fingernail pattern. chicken head is a dragon handle, with the dragon biting Earthenware bowls, seven. Six have reddish clay the rim of the ewer. The dragon’s neck is connected to the bodies; one has a high-fired clay body. T84QS28 has a upper part of the belly (Fig. 13). reddish clay body. The mouth measures 13 cm in diameter, Tall-necked jar, one (T84QS21), 22.2 cm tall, flared 6.2 cm in height. It has a wide mouth, round side, false mouth, long neck, large belly, flat foot. The glaze does ring-foot, and the center of the foot has a chicken-heart not reach the base and is unevenly applied, thus leaving marking. The belly is ornamented with two incised lines.

Volume 4 127 Fig. 14 Ceramic tall-neck jar (T84QS21) Fig. 15 Bronze cauldron (T84QS14)

T84QS30 is purplish red, 7.5 cm in height, 13.2 cm in Iron knives, iron mirrors, bronze ornamental pieces, diameter. The vessel shape is the same as the previous iron hinges, door knockers, iron nails, have also been one and the entire body is buffed. recovered. They are severely rusted and decomposed. Cup, one (T84QS20), damaged, gray clay body, 4.1 5. Tomb epitaph cm in height, mouth 5.4 cm in diameter. The shape is Tomb epitaph, one set, sandstone, 55 cm long, 56.5 similar to that of the bowls but smaller and with a deeper cm wide, and 21 cm thick. It was found in middle of the belly. front part of the tomb chamber. The epitaph cover has Earthenware basins, two, wide-mouthed, shallow, beveled sides and a flat top incised in seal script with the with broad, flat bottom. One reddish earthenware basin characters“Tomb epitaph of Duke Ku Di, Former Im- with the mouth measuring 32 cm in diameter, 2.5 cm in perial Attendant of the Qi 齐故仪同库狄公墓铭.”The height. One grayish earthenware basin with the mouth main part of the epitaph is outlined with squares, and the measures 37.6 cm in diameter, 7.5 cm in height. The inscription is in the Northern Wei stele style, with 21 outer rim of the mouth is decorated with a rope-like columns, and 21 characters in each column. The middle border design. section is slightly damaged (Fig. 16). 4. Metal objects III. Conclusion Bronze cauldron, one (T84QS14), 23.7 cm in height, with inverted mouth, short neck, round belly, and open- 1. This tomb has an unusual structure. Although the work ring-foot. The ring-foot has signs of soldering and ceiling has collapsed, remaining evidence indicates that mending. The mouth has a hinge, and attached to the the tomb belongs to a type with ramp, courtyard, tunnel, shoulder is a chain for the cauldron cover (cover is and a rectangular cave-shaped tomb chamber with sec- missing). The shoulder also has a pair of symmetrical ond-pledged platforms. The discovery of this type of loops. The entire vessel is gleaming and darkened, the Northern Qi tomb structure is the first of its kind in the bottom has traces of smoke, suggesting that it must have Taiyuan 太原 area. once been used in daily life (Fig. 15). 2. Ku Di Ye is not recorded in literature. According

128 Chinese Archaeology Fig. 16 Rubbing from the stone epitaph of Ku Di Ye

to the tomb epitaph, he was born in Yinshan 阴山 and Founder of the State of the Pengcheng Prefecture 彭城县 lived in the northern steppes. He practiced herding by 开国公, etc.. As a middle to high-ranking official, he “following the rain”and his ancestors had been tribal must have enjoyed a special status and exerted some chiefs. He once held the post of Governor of Jingzhou 泾 influence in the Northern Qi court. 州刺史, Grand Master of the Gold and Purple Robe 金 3. The tomb epitaph is very crudely prepared. The 紫光禄大夫, General of the Cavalry 骠骑大将军, In- use of the ending phrase“Domiciled in the Yongluo spector of the Conquered Tribes 领民都督, Unrivaled Prefecture 食永洛县干”runs counter to the style of Honor as the Three Offices仪同三司, Commandant of epitaph composition, and must have been a later the North 北尉少卿, etc.. He was conferred the title of interpolation. The tomb epitaph begins with the lines Duke of the Founder of the State in the Xianyang “Grandfather Ku Di Qu Chen, …commanded the people’s Prefecture 咸阳县开国侯, Prince of the Founder of the troops祖库狄去臣，……领民军主都.”Obviously the State of Gaoping Prefecture 高平县开国子, Duke of the activities of the father and the early life of the tomb

Volume 4 129 occupant are missing, making it difficult to separate the suggests that the term is a place name. According to the biographical accounts of the three generations involved. “Chronicles”of the History of Northern Dynasties 北 Missing characters and careless mistakes are found in 史·齐本纪, fascicle seven,“During that year, the first various. year of Zhou Emperor Min… when an inner wall was 4. The tomb epitaph says:“Also received the title of added to the outer Great Wall, Ku Luo Ba was over four Prince of the Founder of the State in the Gaoping Prefecture, hundred miles east of Wuheshu.”This suggests the term Ku Luo Ba 库洛拔, Unrivaled Honor as the Three Offices, as a place name. So why is the term Ku Luo Ba inserted Commandant of the North, Chamberlain.” This seems to between Prince of the Founder of the State and Unrivaled indicate that“Ku Luo Ba”is an official title. However, Honor of the Three Offices in the tomb epitaph? Is this the following lines:“Passed away at Ku Luo Ba on the first simply a mistake? Or could the term be a title as well as a day of the third month, seventh year of the Tiantong era” place name? This remains a mystery.

Note: The original report was published in Wenwu 文物 2003.3: 26–36, with 26 figures, written by Chang Yimin 常一民, Qu Chuanfu 渠传福 and Yan Yuejin 阎跃进. The present version, an abridgment from the original, is prepared by Qu Chuanfu and English-translated by Judy C. Ho.

130 Chinese Archaeology