The ruins of Yin, the capital of the late Shang Dynasty in China, have yielded a large number of precious cultural relics. Here are some worth seeing:
First, bronzes
Si Mu Xin Ding
Description: Unearthed in the tomb of Fu Hao, the inner wall of the ding is engraved with the three characters “Simu Xin”. “Xin” is the temple name of Fu Hao, and Fu Hao was the wife of the Shang king Wuding, so this ding was made by Fu Hao’s children to sacrifice to her.
Features: Full height of 80.1 cm, mouth length of 64 cm, width of 48 cm, with rectangular mouth, short square lip, standing ears, straight belly flat bottom and cylindrical hollow feet and other characteristics, representing the casting level of the late Shang Dynasty bronzes.
Sublong ox respect
Description: Unearthed in Yachang Tomb, it is the only bronze ware in the shape of a cow found in Yin ruins.
Features: Cattle shape realistic, strong and fat, the back has a rectangular copper cover, cattle body is covered with dragon, bird, fish and other animal decoration, especially the tiger pattern on both sides of the abdomen is the most prominent. The cow’s face is engraved with the inscription “Ya Chang”, a tribal leader of the southern “Chang” state of the Shang Dynasty, and a military general in the Shang Dynasty who was second only to the woman.
Woman good owl
Description: Unearthed in the tomb of Fu Hao, the inner wall of the body is cast with the inscription “Fu Hao”.
Features: The whole device is a standing owl shape (owl is an owl), the whole body is based on cloud thunder pattern, the cover is decorated with Taotie pattern, the front end has a standing bird, a pointed beak and a crown, the rear bird is decorated with a dragon, and the arch body is coiled tail. The shape of the owl is vivid and vivid, and the idea is ingenious. It is a fine piece of bronze ware in the Shang Dynasty.
Evenfangyi
Description: Unearthed in the tomb of Fu Hao, it is named because it resembles two pieces of Fang Yi combined into one body.
Features: Height 61 cm, length 89 cm, width 26 cm, weight 71 kg. The cover is like a four-a-type roof, with symmetrical four-a-type short pillars at both ends, the middle ridge and four slope angles and the four central sides are placed with a leaf edge, and the lower part of the regular 7 square slots, like rafters, should be modeled after the large palace buildings at that time. The whole vessel is decorated with bird patterns, animal face patterns and Kui dragon patterns, and the word “Fu Hao” is cast in the middle of the inner bottom of the vessel.
2. Oracle Bone Scripts
Tunnan oracle bone
Description: Unearthed in the south of Xiaotun Village, Anyang in 1973, it is one of the representative relics of oracle bone inscriptions in the Yin ruins.
Features: 93 words were found on this piece of oracle bone, the text is clear, uniform size, and strong engraving. The content involves the politics, life and other aspects of the Shang Dynasty, which is the direct historical materials for rebuilding the history of Yin Shang faith.
Inlaid with turquoise bone 柶
Description: The only turtle bone inlaid with turquoise in our museum.
Features: The upper end of the object is sharp, the lower end is incomplete, and the remaining engraved words are fifteen words, and the words are embedded with turquoise. This unique way of decoration not only shows the authority of the Shang king, but also reflects the superb craft level of the craftsmen of the Shang Dynasty.
Three, jade
Jade aid copper nego
Description: Unearthed in the tomb of Fu Hao, it is a perfect combination of jade and bronze wares of the Shang Dynasty.
Features: Long 27.8 cm, jade aid 15.8 cm. The body is composed of two parts: jade and bronze. The jade aid part is beautifully carved, and the copper interior is separately cast with patterns. From the point of view of the delicacy of production, this stone should be a special jade for the royal family of the Shang dynasty, which is a ceremonial instrument symbolizing power and majesty.
Jade Qi
Description: Unearthed in Yacang Tomb, it is a kind of ceremonial weapons of the Shang Dynasty.
Features: A total of 6 pieces of jade qi unearthed in Yichang tomb, of which 3 pieces are large, with ridge teeth on both sides, and a large tube drill round perforation in the middle, and many plain surfaces. These yuqi not only have practical value, but also have high artistic value.
4. Other cultural relics
Pottery tee
Description: Condensed the wisdom of the ancients, the pottery tee pipe shows the development level of handicraft industry in the Shang Dynasty.
Bronze hand
Description: Unearthed in the tomb of Yachang, it is said that because Yachang suffered many wounds, and even one arm was cut off, people made this copper arm for him.
Features: Length 13.03 cm, weight 0.1 kg, slightly smaller than the average adult hand, the right hand is slightly curved half-grip, the five fingers are moderate, the joint is clear, the back of the hand is decorated with half a Taotie pattern.
Ivory cup inlaid with turquoise
Description: Unearthed in the ruins of the imperial Mausoleum area, is the representative art of ivory carving in the Shang Dynasty.
Features: The main body of the cup is made of ivory root, the belly and waist are hollow, and the chisel is made of another piece of ivory board. The mouth, neck, abdomen and feet are decorated with three groups of animal face pattern, and turquoise pieces are inlaid on the eyes, eyebrows, nose or tail of the animal face pattern, all based on thunder pattern. The whole ivory cup is exquisitedly produced and decorated with elaborate patterns, integrating a variety of processes such as line engraving, relief and inlaying.
Yin Ruins Museum also exhibits a large number of other precious cultural relics, such as copper owl, various animal-shaped jade (jade dragon, jade bird, jade tiger, etc.), pottery, etc. Each cultural relic carries rich historical information and cultural connotation, which is worth your careful taste and appreciation. When visiting Yin Ruins, it is recommended that you hire a guide or rent an interpreter to better understand the historical background and cultural value of these relics.
