Shang royal mausoleum area and its surroundings at Yinxu in Anyang, Henan

Archaeological excavations at the Shang royal mausoleum area of Yinxu, Anyang, Henan, have uncovered two dry moats and over 470 sacrificial pits, revealing defensive structures used during the late Shang dynasty (Dayi Shang period). The findings, based on stratigraphic and material evidence from four excavated sites in 2021–2022, confirm the moats' role as boundary markers for the royal mausoleum. Additionally, nearby Western Zhou remains, dated to the early Western Zhou, were identified southwest of the mausoleum area, providing insights into the transition between these dynasties.

(Ed.). (2024). Shang royal mausoleum area and its surroundings at Yinxu in Anyang, Henan. Chinese Archaeology, 24(1), 50–66. https://doi.org/10.1515/char-2024-0004