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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.
The staff in front of the “Cao Cao’s Tomb”Komiks Photo/Cinema Xinhuanet
As a household name in China, Cao Cao’s past and afterlife were 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 from the TV series “Jingjue Ancient City”/Data Picture
It has been 10 years since the initial discovery of “Cao Cao’s Tomb”, although Cao Cao’s Tomb has been officially recognized by the official from the beginningKomiks was questioned. Later, with the discovery of the new Cao Wei tomb, the evidence chain 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
Around 2008, a large tomb in Xigaoxue Village, Anyang, Henan Province was stolen. With the approval of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, the Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology carried out a protective excavation. At the archaeological discovery briefing held in Beijing in 2009, the tomb was initially confirmed to be “Cao Cao Gaoling”!
Instructions for Archaeological Discovery/Southern Metropolis Daily
After experts’ demonstration, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage recognized this judgment, and the excavation project was also Komiks was named “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 criticisms from well-known professors and scholars. Some of these doubts go beyond the scope of academic discussions, pointing to the local government “falsing” with archaeologists in order to seek economic benefits, Komiks made a conclusion on the “Cao Cao’s tomb”.
Photo of Cao Cao painted in the Ming Dynasty/Data picture
The tomb was severely robbed during archaeological excavation, but fortunately more than 200 objects remain. The most important ones are 7, engraved with inscriptions such as “The Tiger Halberds often used by King Wu of Wei” and “The Tiger Short Spears 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 Comfort Stones often used by King Wu of Wei”.
These are key cultural relics to determine the identity of the tomb owner. But some people questioned that there were no stone plaques for each burial object? In ancient times, bamboo slips were used to register burial objects, and Cao Wei also used stone plaques. Could it be that history was reversed? Some people proposed the title of “King Wu of Wei” to mix the Yin and Yang names, and some even questioned that the stone plaques were suspected of being faked!
Stone plaque unearthed from “Cao Cao’s tomb” Picture/Oriental Daily
In addition, some gold, silver and jade products were unearthed in the tomb. Therefore, some people questioned that this was inconsistent with the historical records of Cao Cao’s advocacy of burial, and it was inferred from this that this was not Cao Cao’s tomb.
Faced with various inclinations of force, 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 tomb, and is the same as the “Cao Cao Tomb”.
Xizhu Village tomb excavation site Photo/Luoyang Evening News
As confirmed with the Xizhu Village tomb, a large tomb of Xizhu Village, was found in 2009 in the Han imperial tomb in Luoyang, a east-west Cao Wei noble tomb was found in the Han imperial tomb in Shandong Province. 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 large tomb of Xizhu Village. This cleared the suspicion of “Cao Cao Tomb” stone plaques being forged.suspect.
The stone tablets unearthed from the Wei tomb of CaoCinemaThe low-value stone tablets were also consistent with Cao Cao’s advocacy of thin burials. However, all three large tombs were excavated and damaged seriously, and the unearthed cultural relics were limited, so it is still difficult to draw conclusions in some information. However, some scholars infer that perhaps the burial objects written on the stone tablets in the Cao Wei tomb may be just a name and have not been buried in the physical objects.
Stone plaques unearthed from the tomb/Xizhu Village tomb/Data picture
Other burial vessels in the tomb are mostly symbolic bright vessels, such as Gui and Bi, 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.
A small amount of jade agate products was unearthed. Photo/China News Service
The historical facts are clear, why is there still a legend of “72 doubts tombs”?
Komiks When the archaeological community identified the “Cao Cao’s tomb”, there were many doubts from all walks of life, which was also related to the mystery of the Cao Cao’s tomb itself. It is said that there are “72 doubtful tombs” in Cao Cao’s tomb. How can such a secret tomb be easily found? Therefore, there is a natural opposition to the official recognition in folk sentiments, and even doubts about the accuracy and objectivity of archaeological excavation information.
Tomb passage of “Cao Cao Cao’s Tomb” Photo/China News Service
Cao Cao Cao is famous in Chinese history and cultureBabaylan. CinemaThere are many factors, from historical facts on the one hand, and from literary legends and Babaylan folk legends on the other hand.
Cao Cao in history was an outstanding politician, military strategist and writer. However, since the Northern Song Dynasty, due to political needs and literary preferences, the treacherous and suspicious side of Cao Cao’s personality was magnified, and his image was stereotyped as a treacherous hero. The unknown site of his tomb also caused him to take the blame, becoming a proof of his treacherous. The Song people Yu Yingfu’s poem “Cao Cao’s suspicion tomb” says: “I deceived the heavens and the Han dynasty during my lifetime, and deceived others and set up suspicion tombs after my death.”
Statue of Cao Cao/Data PictureKomiks
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 the plot of Cao Cao’s last order setting up 72 suspicious tombs west of Yecheng. There is an article in Pu Songling’s “Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio” “Cao Cao Tomb”, which follows this statement and says that Cao Cao’s tomb may add a layer of mystery to the “72 doubts tombs”.
Stills from the TV series “Romance of the Three Kingdoms”/Data picture
About Cao Cao’s tomb, there are four legends circulating among the people in Yecheng: one says that “72 suspected 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 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, which is the location of Cao Cao’s “72 doubts tombs” (actually 134) legendary. 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.
The 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 Ximen Bao Temple is Shouling”; before his death, he also said in the “Legend Order” that “buried in Xigang in Ye, similar to the Ximen Bao Temple.” Babaylan
Later historical materials 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 Li Shimin passed by Yecheng in the east to conquer Goryeo, he also worshiped Cao Cao’s tomb and wrote a tribute. This shows that at least CinemaThe location of Cao Cao’s tomb was still very clear.
However, because Cao Cao’s tomb “is not sealed or not, there is no obvious sign on the surface of the earth. After a long time, it gradually disappeared in the mountains and fields, and the specific location is difficult to explain. Especially in the west, which is used as a reference for the location. href=”https://comicmov.com/”>CinemaThe temple of the Menbao Temple was later lost, which made Cao Cao’s tomb 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 burial in film and television dramas/data photo
Cao Chuo was a hero of a generation and “used the emperor to command the princes”, and was actually the master of the Han world. 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 Pi deposed Emperor Xian of Han and established the Cao Wei regime, and posthumously named him “Emperor Wu of Wei”. There is a similar manifestation in the information of the tomb in Xigaoxue Village. The scale of the tomb did not reach the imperial level, but he buried the “die” exclusive to the emperor.
The tomb of Xigaoxue VillagePhoto/Xinhuanet
Cao Cao advocated a 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 always have to bury their ancestors to show their 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 to be buried. The underground palace of Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty Zhaoling was “not different from the world”…
Terracotta Warriors and Horses of Qin Shihuang in Xi’an Picture/Visual China
Babaylan Why did Cao Cao advocate thin burials? There are many reasons. Objectively speaking, there were many wars and chaos 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 army was in the eightyth,” and “the bones were exposed in the wild, and there was no rooster crowing thousands of miles away.” 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 worthy of money, so he should not lack 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 burial for the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties. It was not until the Tang Dynasty that the tradition of grand funeral was restored.
Cao Cao in history is very frugal/Data picture
Of course, Cao Cao’s advocacy of burial is not unrelated to the saying of “the lieutenant of gold”. 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 in the “Seven Sons of Jian’an”ef=”https://comicmov.com/”>Babaylan A famous article by Chen Lin “Expression to Yuzhou for Yuan Shao”.
Stills from the movie “The Dragon Search” / Data Picture
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
It was just that Cao Cao didn’t expect that although he advocated “thin burial” and later generations helped him interpret the “72 doubts tombs”, he eventually Cinema did not escape the place where he fell asleep and was lighted by the tomb robbers in later generationsCinema did not escape the place where he fell, and was lighted by the tomb robbers in later generationsCinema did not escape the place where he fell, and was lighted by the tomb robbers in later generationsCinema did not escape the place where he fell, and was lighted by the tomb robbers in later generationsBabaylanGu’s distraction was embarrassed!
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!
Only enough evidence can clear away the fog of history/data image
Source｜Yangchengpai
ColumnCinemaHost｜Xia Yang
Editor｜Xie Zhe