A Preliminary Study of the Western Zhou Building Foundations at Yuntang in Fufeng,

Xu Lianggao Wang Wei

Keywords: Yuntang in Zhouyuan Western Zhou building foundation ancestral temple

From autumn 1999 through the year 2000, Zhouyuan Unquestionably, F1 was the main hall of the whole Archaeological Team excavated a set of Western Zhou complex. It was located in the central position with the building foundations, which was well preserved and largest platform and size. The first step of platform is 22 uniquely designed. It is significantly valuable for the m in length, if we count its length between the outer research on the ritual system of the Western Zhou edges of the first raises of the steps before the eastern and Dynasty. We here by try to make a preliminary study on western gates; the full length of the platform is 23.43 m. its structure and function with reference of historical The width of the intruding portions on eastern and west- literature. ern ends is 16.50 m, and the central portion, 13.10 m. The remains of houses F1, F2, F3, F8 and the In total, 37 large column bases were found on the enclosing wall formed a complete building complex in top of the platform, distributed in some given rule. From which the F1 was the main hall at the north end of the the columniation, we can roughly know the basic plan of central axis. F2 and F3 were set on the two sides of the this hall. central axis symmetrically. F8 is to the south of F1, and Bases Nos. 9 –12, 15, 19, 22, 26 –29, 17, 20, and 24 the enclosing wall was linking to its both sides. The east formed a spacious room, about 12 by 9 m. It was part of this complex was dug away by local residents but we arranged in the center of the platform and should be the still can reconstruct it based on the extant traces (Fig. 1). “Tang” -central chamber. A ring of smaller rooms were F5 is located to the west of this complex; from the built around this central chamber, which should be stratigraphical relation, we know that it was built at the “Shi” -common rooms. same time with the F1 complex, and from positions, we “Tang 堂”is named“Taishi 太室,”“Taishi 太 can get the conclusion that F5 and the F1 complex were 室”or“Tianshi 天室”in bronze inscriptions. It is designed and built as a unified set of buildings. recorded in“Luo Gao 洛诰”(The Announcement Con- Analyzed from the stratigraphical relationship and cerning Luo) of Shangshu 尚书 (Shu Jing, Book of unearthed pottery wares, we dated this set of buildings Documents) that“王入太室 (The King entered to the late stage of the Western . Taishi, and held the Guan Ceremony-poured out the libation on the ground),”the“Taishi”was annotated I. Denominations and Functions of the Parts by Wang Su 王肃 as“ The central chamber of Qingmiao of the Architectural Complex (ancestral temple).” The inscription on the ding-tripod In the present paper, we mainly consulted the of Ge-you-cong ( 攸从鼎铭) has the content of“王 historical records about the nominations of the parts of 在周康宫、辟太室 (the King was in the Kang Palace the buildings and the activities held by ancient people in and entered the Taishi),”on the dui-cooker of Yi (伊 relevant parts of certain buildings to study the recovered 敦),“王格穆太室 Wang ge Mu Taishi (the King entered building remains. the Taishi of King Mu).”“Tang”was the center of the 1. The parts of the Main Hall whole complex of ancestral temple and Hall of Enlight-

176 Chinese Archaeology N

0 10 M

Fig. 1 Denominations of the parts of the Western Zhou architectural complex at Yuntang ened Rule and the location of holding ceremonies and Citizens in the Ceremony and Ritual) that“射自楹间 banquets. The archery is practiced between the two ‘Ying’.”The “Ying 楹.”The bases Nos. 16 and 23 on the space between the two Ying and nearby floor was eastern and western sides of the central axis should be important place in the“Tang”where the host received the two“Ying.”In Yili Shigong 仪礼释宫 (The Com- the guests and held rituals and ceremonies. mentary of Terms on Palaces and Temples Mentioned in “Xu 序.” The two side walls and nearby floor were the Ceremony and Ritual) written by Li Rugui 李如圭, “Xu.” It was explained by Xu Shen 许慎 in Shuowen 说 we can find this record:“堂之上，东西有楹 There are 文 (Explanation and Study of Principles of Composition two Ying on the east and west of Tang.” The note for this of Characters) that“序，东西墙也 Xu, the eastern and sentence is ‘Ying’ is column. In the ancient times, the western walls.” It was said in Chaomiao Gongshi Kao roofs are covered on walls built of tamped earth to make 朝庙宫室考 (Notes on the Courts, Temples, and Palaces) houses; only two columns were erected on ‘Tang.’ It that 堂上东西墙曰序，序东为东夹室，西为西夹室 was recorded in the chapter“ Jixi Li” of Yili 仪礼·既 The eastern and western walls on ‘Tang’ were called 夕礼 (the Rituals on the Eve of Funeral in the Ceremony ‘Xu,’ the chamber to the east of eastern Xu is eastern and Ritual) that“正棺于两楹间，用夷床… place the ‘Jiashi (flanking chamber)’ and to the west, western coffin right in the middle of the two Ying on Yichuang ‘Jiashi’.”In the chapter“Xiang Yinjiu Li”of Yili 仪 (platform)…”and in the chapter“Xiangshe Li” of Yili 礼·乡饮酒礼 (the Wine-Feasting Ceremony of Com- 仪礼·乡射礼 (The Archery Ceremony of Common mon Citizens), it is recorded that“主人坐奠爵于序

Volume 3 177 端… the host sits and holds the jue-wine vessel at the and descending. end of Xu.” Xu was mainly the places to display the Ce Jie 侧阶 (Side Steps) and Dong Chui 东垂 and ceremonial utensils. Xi Chui 西垂. The steps attached to the eastern and “Shi 室” was built behind the“Tang.” Jiang Yong western edges of the F1 platform should be the eastern 江永 wrote in his Yili Shigong Zengzhu 仪礼释宫增注 and western Ce Jie (Side Steps). They were the marks of (Enriched Commentary of Terms on Palaces and Temples eastern and western Chui, which were the places on the Mentioned in the Ceremony and Ritual):“堂后室居中， sides of the“Tang”under the eaves and near the steps. 左右有房 behind the ‘Tang,’ ‘Shi’ was in the middle The steps on the north side should also be Ce Jie. It was and flanked by ‘Fang’ on both sides.”“Shi”was the recorded in the chapter“Zaji”of Yili 仪礼·杂记 place to set the memorial shrines of the worshipped (Miscellany) that“ when the wife (of the Lord) comes, ancestors. enter from Weimen 闱门 (The small gate of the court), “Fang 房”is explained in Shuowen as“房，室 and ascends from the Ce Jie.”Annotated as“Ce Jie, 在旁也 on the sides of ‘Shi’.”In Shiming 释名 also called Pang Jie (Side Steps).” (Explication of Names),“Fang”was explained as“旁 Eastern and Western Xiang 厢. Also called eastern 也，室之两旁也 means ‘Side,’ the two side chambers and western Tang. Guo Pu 郭璞 annotated the“Shi of Shi.”The eastern Fang was also called Left Fang Gong”of Erya 尔雅·释宫 (The Explanations on the and the western Fang, Right Fang. It was recorded in the Terms of the Palace) (Literary Expositor) that“夹室前 chapter“Dashe”of Yili 仪礼·大射 (The Archery 堂谓之厢 the Tang in front of the Jiashi were called Ceremony of Officials) that“荐脯醢由左房 the ba- ‘Xiang’.”In the chapter“Shigong”of Yili 仪礼·释 con and meat pulp are served from the Left Fang,”and 宫 (The Commentary of Terms on Palaces and Temples in the book Pinli 聘礼 (The Ceremony of Receiving Mentioned in the Ceremony and Ritual), it was recorded Officials from other States)“君使卿皮弁还至于馆… , that“夹室之前曰厢，亦曰东西堂 the front of Jiashi (宾）退负右房而立 when the messenger of the host was called ‘Xiang,’ or eastern and western ‘Tang.’” The lord wearing leather headwear returned to the guesthouse, sites of F2 and F3 just meet the positions of eastern and … (the guest official) walked backward until he leaned western ‘Tang’, and there were seemly traces of steps to against the Right Fang.”From these records, we can the eastern edge of F2 and western edge of F3. To have infer that the eastern Fang was the place where the food or not to have Xiang was related to the nature of the was served and the western Fang was the place for the building. Also in the chapter“Shi Gong” of Erya (The guests to rest. Explanations on the Terms of the Palace) we can find “Jiashi 夹室”was also called“个 Ge.” In the that“室有东西厢曰庙，无东西厢有室曰寝 the halls book Shiming it was explained that“夹室在堂两头， having eastern and western side chambers were called 故名夹也 Jiashi were on the two sides of Tang, so they Miao (Temple), having no side chambers but rear cham- were called ‘Jia’ (in between).”Jiashi was used to ber were called Qin (Sleeping chamber).” store the memorial tablets of the successive ancestors. Liu . It was explained by Xu Shen in Shuowen Zuo Steps 阼阶 (Hosts’ Steps) and Bin Steps 宾阶 that“屋檐滴水为 ，其地谓之 the rain water drip- (Guests’ Steps). To set two steps on east and west in the ping from the eave was named Liu, and the ground on front of main hall was the common rule of the high- which it dripped on was also called Liu.”This implies ranked architecture in the Zhou Dynasty. Zuo Steps was that“Liu”was the apron surrounding the tamped- the eastern one. It was recorded in the chapter“ Shiguan earth platform. The apron around the platform of F1 was Li”of Yili 仪礼·士冠礼 that“立于阼阶下 stand paved exquisitely with small pebbles. The fact that under the Zuo steps,”and annotated“阼，犹酢也， apron surrounded four sides of the platform implied that 东阶所以答酢宾客也 Zuo Steps was the eastern steps the roof of F1 was at least hipped roof, or even double- used to greeting guests.” It was used by the host to step eaved hipped roof, but if it was exactly doubled eaved, up and down. Bin Steps was the western one. In the is still waiting for more study. chapter“Guming”of Shangshu 尚书·顾命 we find Shu 塾. It was explained in the chapter“Shi Gong” this record“由宾阶跻 (the King) ascended by the Bin of Erya that “门侧之堂谓之塾 the Tang flanking the Steps (guests’ steps)”annotated by Sun Xingyan 孙星 gate was called Shu.” It was said in Chaomiao Gongshi 衍 as“宾阶者，西阶 the Bin Steps, name given to the Kao 朝庙宫室考 (Notes on the Courts, Temples, and western steps.” It was used for the guests for ascending Palaces) that“庙外为门…， 左右为塾，塾有堂，堂

178 Chinese Archaeology 有室 the Gate was built outside the Temple…, and Shu middle month of the Spring Season) of the Yueling was built on the left and right sides of the Gate; the Shu (Proceedings of Government in the Different Months) had Tang, and Tang had Shi.”The F8 was a three-bayed of Liji 礼记·月令·仲春之月 that“put their sleep- building, and the middle bay was linking to the Zhong ing chambers and temples all in good repair.”The Ting 中庭 (central court). This planning just met the commentary of this sentence was“according to the features of Shu (Tang flanking the gate). Shu functioned system, Miao (temples) have eastern and western Xiang mainly as guardhouse, but was also used in some other (side chambers) and the Xu (side walls) but Qin (Sleeping ways. For example, in the chapter“Shi Sangli”of Yili Chambers) had only Shi (the chamber behind Tang). 仪礼·士丧礼 (The Funeral of Shi) , there was this Therefore, in the chapter“Shi Gong”of Erya it was record “卜人先奠龟于西塾 the diviner paid offers to said that“室有东西厢曰庙，无东西厢有室曰寝 the the turtle first in the western Shu,”which implied that halls having eastern and western side chambers were Shu was also used as location of divination. called Miao (Temple), having no side chambers but rear Zhong Ting 中庭 (the Central Court). It was ex- chamber were called Qin (Sleeping Chamber)’.”Based plained in Shuowen that“庭，宫中也 Ting, the name on the shape and planning of the remains and the of the inside of Palace.”In Yuhai 玉海 (Jade Sea, a historical literatures, we inferred that F5 could be a Qin, general classification book written by Wang Yinglin where the King and noble people stay for leisure, resting, 1223 – 1296) it was commented that“堂下至门谓之 and dining. 庭 the area from the bottom of Tang to the Gate was II. Comparative Research and Deducing of called Ting.” Ting was the main place for entitling the subjects, paying awards and holding sacrificial rites. It the Properties of the Building Complex was recorded in the chapter“Shi Sangli”of Yili that 1. The comparison with the reconstructions in “宵，为燎于中庭 in the midnight, the huge torches ancient literatures were set in the Zhong Ting.” The inscription on gui- There were many ancient scholars who afforded container said that“唯正月乙巳，王各于大室，穆 different reconstruction plans of ritual architecture in 公入右， 立中庭，北向。王曰… it was the Yisi 乙 the Zhou Dynasty, such as Mingtang, ancestral temples, 巳 day of the first moon of the year, the King entered the Shishi 世室 and Qin. These reconstruction plans had Grand Chamber, Duke Mu entered the right chamber many differences in the details but the general planning and stood in the Zhong Ting facing to the north. The and the arrangements of the parts were almost in common, King said….” The above-mentioned Ting (Zhong Ting) for example, the positions of Tang, Jia, Ting, and Shi. and the activities of the king and officials all met the Among these plans, Dai Zhen戴震’s reconstruction, in locations and planning of this building complex. our opinion, was the most reasonable and all-sided, and Chen 陈. The Chapter“Shi Gong”of Erya (The met the plan of the F1 complex we excavated (Fig. 2). Explanations on the Terms of the Palace) (Literary Comparing Dai Zhen’s reconstruction with the F1 Expositor) recorded that“堂途，谓之陈 the pavement complex, we found that most parts of them have coun- of the Tang was called Chen.”The commentary of this terparts each other. Therefore, both the historical records sentence was“堂下至门径名陈 the pavement from and facts provided powerful evidence for our knowing the front edge of Tang to the Gate was called Chen.” the structure of F1 complex and confirming its nature. That is, Chen was the paved path from Shu to the Tang. 2. The comparative research with Group A in This path was made to link to Zuo Steps and Bin Steps. Fengchu 凤雏 site and complex in Shaochen 召陈 In our excavation, we found U-shaped pebble-paved Group A was an enclosing courtyard-shaped build- paths to the south of F1 and F4. Undoubtedly, they were ing group. Some scholars pointed out that it was ances- “Chen,”which tallied with the positions recorded in tral temple; but we think that its structure and planning the ancient literatures. This was the first archaeological were much less similar to the records about ancestral evidence of“Chen.” temple in the ritual literatures than F1 Complex in 2. The conjecture of the usage of F5 Yuntang, and many parts did not tally with the historical F5 was located to the west of the building complex records. As to the architectural complex in Shaochen, whose main hall was F1. The main part of F5 was the the extant excavation result was fragmental that we central chamber enclosed by column bases Nos. 4 – 9 cannot judge the overall planning, so it is rather difficult and 12 – 14. In the chapter“Zhong Chun zhi Yue” (the for us to infer its nature. Referring to these two architec-

Volume 3 179 sacrifices to the Kings of the , which was destroyed by the Zhou Dynasty)”were discovered be- tween the north walls and the platform of northern halls of both. However, they had differences. The three halls in the complex of Majiazhuang were in the same size and planning but in the F1 complex of Yuntang, the structures of F2 and F3 were simpler and sizes were smaller than those of F1, showing clearly that they were subordinate buildings. The path in the courtyard of ancestral temple No. 1 in Majiazhuang linked the west- ern and eastern halls, and many sacrificial pits were found in the courtyard; the path in the courtyard of F1 complex in Yuntang led to the Bin Steps and Zuo Steps of the main hall and no sacrificial pits were found in the courtyard, which met the records in the ritual literatures. Through the analyses to all of the parts of the F1 complex, and the comparative researches with Group A in Fengchu site and ancestral temple No. 1 of the Qin State in Majiazhuang, we drew a preliminary conclu- sion that the remains of building groups excavated in Yuntang was ancestral temple. As to the rank of the host of this temple, the king of the Zhou Dynasty or noble people, is still waiting for more study.

Fig. 2 Chart of ancestral temple in Kaogong Ji made by Dai Zhen III. Conclusion

1. The remains of architectural complexes F1 and F4 excavated in Yuntang was ancestral temple in the tural groups, we believe that the F1 complex in Yuntang later stage of the Western Zhou Dynasty. As to the rank was a more typical case of ancestral temple and can be of the host of this temple – the king of the Zhou Dynasty regarded as the sample of ancestral temple of the West- or noble people – is still waiting for more study. ern Zhou Dynasty. 2. The shape and structure of Yuntang ancestral Some fragments and half-products of musical stone, temple met tightly the results of the reconstruction pieces of large bronze ritual vessels and jade gui-tablets researches on the ancestral temples of the Zhou Dynasty were discovered to the south of F1 complex and in the by the ancient scholars in the angle of historical courtyard of F4. From the shape of the bronze pieces, we documents. This meeting not only helped us to know inferred that some bronze vessels were rather large, deeply on this architectural complex, but also proved which proved our conclusion that they were ritual build- that the records in the ancient literatures were not ing groups. These fragments of ritual objects should be groundless. This discovery is significant for the study on left by those people holding ritual activities in these the ancient ritual system and the affirming of ancient buildings. literatures. 3. The comparative research with ancestral temple 3. The F1 complex in Yuntang resembled the No. 1 of the Qin State in Majiazhuang 马家庄, ancestral No.1 in Majiazhuang very much and could be Yongcheng 雍城 Site regarded as the origin of the ancestral temple system of F1 complex in Yuntang resembled the ancestral Qin State. It was also high-ranked architecture rarely No.1 in Majiazhuang very much: both were enclosing seen in the Three Dynasties (the Xia, Shang, and Zhou 品 -shaped courtyard complex; the gates with“Shu” Dynasties) archaeology. From pottery and burial systems, of both were in the middle of the south side of the we have found that the mainstream of Qin culture in the complex; the direction of both were north slightly by Western Zhou Dynasty and early stage of the Springs east; the remains of“ Boshe 亳社 (the altar for offering and Autumns period; now from the ritual architecture,

180 Chinese Archaeology we proved that the main resource of Qin culture was jianbao 扶风召陈西周建筑群基址发掘简报”. Wenwu Zhou culture. 1981.3: 10 – 22. 3. Shaanxi Sheng Yongcheng Kaogudui 陕西省雍 References 城考古队 (1985).“Fengxiang Majiazhuang yihao 1. Shaanxi Zhouyuan Kaogudui 陕西周原考古队 jianzhuqun yizhi fajue jianbao 凤翔马家庄一号建筑 (1979).“Shaanxi Qishan Fengchu cun Xizhou jianzhu 群遗址发掘简报”. Wenwu 1985.2: 1 – 29. jizhi fajue jianbao 陕西岐山凤雏村西周建筑基址发 4. Han Wei 韩伟 (1985).“Majiazhuang Qin 掘简报”. Wenwu 文物 1979.10: 27 – 37. zongmiao jianzhu zhidu yanjiu 马家庄秦宗庙建筑制 2. Shaanxi Zhouyuan Kaogudui 陕西周原考古队 度研究”. Wenwu 1985.2: 30 – 38. (1981).“Fufeng Shaochen Xizhou jianzhuqun jizhi fajue

Note: The original paper is published in Kaogu 2002.9: 27–35, with four illustrations, written by Xu Lianggao 徐良高 and Wang Wei 王巍. The present version, an abridgment from the original, is prepared by the author Wang Wei and English-translated by Ding Xiaolei 丁晓雷.

Volume 3 181