The Lion Mountain Chu Mausoleum is an incredibly important historical landmark that’s vital to understanding the culture, values and history of the Chu State. So, here’s a closer look at this amazing historical attraction.
The Tombs
Now, if you’re staying at one of the Xuzhou serviced apartments – for instance, the Citadines Yunlong Lake Xuzhou – the mausoleum calls for a bit of a road trip – but the reward is well worth it. There are 13 tombs in total here and they can be dated back to 206 BCE!
Excavation Attempts
In the early 90s, several excavation attempts were made by Chinese authorities and historians. While most of the tombs had been looted, they still bore an array of historical artefacts – from coins and bronze wares to vases and weapons.
The Master of the Tomb
Liu Wu is the master of the great mausoleum found at Lion Mountain. He was the third Chu prince and part of the early Han dynasty. The famous terracotta army – meant to defend their prince even in death – can be found just 300 metres away from the main tomb.
A Look at Aristocratic Life
There have been numerous findings of jade cups, vases, jewellery and many other fineries within the tombs. These provide archaeologists with an unprecedented look at what aristocratic life looked like in Ancient China.
