A mound tomb group from the Western Zhou Dynasty (c. 11th century-771 BC) is discovered at the Dushan Site in Yunhe county, Lishui, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Lishui Daily]

A mound tomb group from the Western Zhou Dynasty (c. 11th century-771 BC) discovered at the Dushan Site in Yunhe county, Lishui, Zhejiang province was recognized as one of the important archaeological discoveries of Zhejiang in 2023.

The tomb group covers an area of about 90,000 square meters. A large number of black pottery and primitive porcelain were collected from the surface. These discoveries date from the Xia and Shang dynasties (c. 21st century-11th century BC) to the Western Zhou Dynasty.

Comprising primarily pit and stone bed tombs, a total of 38 burial sites from the Western Zhou were excavated in the tomb group. Several tombs still retained burial pits about one meter deep, while a few tombs still had mounds of a certain height above the vault.

The tomb group is divided into three areas according to position: north hill, south hill, and the space in between. In the north hill area, there are 21 tombs and nine artifact piles, while the south hill area features 12 tombs and 24 artifacts piles. Another five tombs and four artifact piles were between the two areas.

A noticeable distinction exists within the tomb group. Tombs housing bronze wares or larger tomb pits are predominantly situated in the north hill area, suggesting a higher status for the individuals interred in this region.