Archeologists have confirmed that the system of burying living people with the dead began in the Shang Dynasty (16th - 11th century BC). In slave society, many people were buried with the dead while they were still alive, killed or after committing a suicide. Slave owners and nobles believed that tombs were their residence in the spiritual world after their death. In this way, they buried their slaves alive for further impelling.
Situated near Zhangjiapo Village in Mawang Town of Chang'an District in Xian City and lying on the west bank of the Fenghe River, the Western Zhou Chariot Burial Pit represents a typical sacrificial tomb of slave society.
The rectangular pit measures 5.6 meters (6 yards) long and 2 meters (2 yards) deep. Two wooden chariots with a length of 0.68 meters (2 feet), a width of 1.38 meters (4.5 feet) and standing over 0.45 meters tall (1.5 feet) are arranged side by side in the pit with their wheels facing east. Doors with a width measuring about 0.4 meters wide (1.3 feet) are located at the rear of the chariots. Railings made of small battens, with a width of 0.32 meters (1 foot) stand beside each door.
One chariot decorated in bronze was used in battle and hauled by four horses. The other chariot hauled by two horses and adorned in seashells was used mainly for transport. Six dead horses crouch directly opposite the chariots. They were obviously killed prior to the burial and arranged in this position. Heads of the horses are covered with silver beast-face ornaments. Under the chariot lies a skeleton, supposedly the wheeler of the tomb owner.
This burial pit was unearthed in 1955. Research work undertaken in the area has provided valuable information regarding the study of economic life in the Western Zhou Dynasty (11th century BC - 771 BC). Excavated chariots and horses confirm that the metal industry, woodworking and leather production were highly developed during this period.
The rectangular pit measures 5.6 meters (6 yards) long and 2 meters (2 yards) deep. Two wooden chariots with a length of 0.68 meters (2 feet), a width of 1.38 meters (4.5 feet) and standing over 0.45 meters tall (1.5 feet) are arranged side by side in the pit with their wheels facing east. Doors with a width measuring about 0.4 meters wide (1.3 feet) are located at the rear of the chariots. Railings made of small battens, with a width of 0.32 meters (1 foot) stand beside each door.
One chariot decorated in bronze was used in battle and hauled by four horses. The other chariot hauled by two horses and adorned in seashells was used mainly for transport. Six dead horses crouch directly opposite the chariots. They were obviously killed prior to the burial and arranged in this position. Heads of the horses are covered with silver beast-face ornaments. Under the chariot lies a skeleton, supposedly the wheeler of the tomb owner.
This burial pit was unearthed in 1955. Research work undertaken in the area has provided valuable information regarding the study of economic life in the Western Zhou Dynasty (11th century BC - 771 BC). Excavated chariots and horses confirm that the metal industry, woodworking and leather production were highly developed during this period.
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