Burial Research On Period Of Xing-mang Dynasty In Two Capitals

Han Dynasty (202 BC-AD 220) is a glorious era in historyXin Mang, a short and complicated section of the Han Dynasty, is a dividing line between Western Han Dynasty and Eastern Han DynastyDuring this period, material and spiritual civilization is highly developed, which can be considered as the connecting link between the roles of Han cultureThere are two districts, marked by Chang'an and Luoyang, that we can call the dominating centers of Han Dynasty. Both of material culture and social thought are the most developed. They had a significant influence on the economic and cultural development of surrounding areas.At practical archaeological work, a large number of Han Tombs are excavated in these two districts. A relative standard dating of their ruler has been established.So the writer selects the Capital Area as the scope of the study of the shape and characteristics of Xin Mang tomb, and combines it with other parts of Xin Mang tombs, to analyze the cultural differences between those regions and the impact of Capital Area on other regions.This paper begins with the description of the historical background of Xin Mang period:In Late Western Han Dynasty, Wang Mang gradually became the emperor by advocating his theory of Chenwei. Then he carried out a series of reforms of social system, which brought changes to the thought trend at that time. All these events and social conditions will be discussed;Then the writer tells the object of this research, methods and purposes. In the end, an overview will be given for Xin Mang tomb discovery and its lastest results of survey and researchWith the typological method, Our research on the small tomb and its burial objects of Xin Mang period in Luoyang, can be summarized as such a conclusion:The shape and structure of tombs were gradually residentialized. Grave goods became more and more living. Sacrificial altar and fete activity appeared inside the tomb. The practice of "the wife following the husband in the grave" became popular in two districts. Some funeral thoughts, such as luxurious burials, immortality, Heaven-Human Induction, are still the mainstream. The ideas of restoring ancient ways originated. Differences can be seen between the funeral cultures of two regions as well as their economics and politics.The funeral burial customs, social life and some popular social thought can be reflected by their tombs.However, the available burial materials are limited; we can't get accurate funeral information.Archaeological theory and methods still need enriching to get a restoration of real Xin Mang.