Royal mausoleums of the Western-Han and of the Song Chinese dynasties: a contextual approach

TL;DR

This study uses satellite data to analyze the orientation and landscape placement of Western Han and Song dynasty mausoleums, revealing patterns linked to the polar region of the sky and cultural influences beyond Feng Shui.

Contribution

It provides a new contextual analysis of Chinese imperial tombs, highlighting their astronomical orientation patterns and landscape integration using satellite imagery.

Findings

Two distinct orientation patterns linked to the polar region of the sky.

Orientation influenced by astronomical and topographical factors, not Feng Shui.

The funerary landscape of Emperor Wen of Han is notably discussed.

Abstract

The mausoleums of the emperors and of some members of the royal family of the Western Han Chinese dynasty, popularly known as Chinese pyramids, are a spectacular ensemble of tombs covered by a huge earth mounds, spread in the outskirts of modern Xian. Their inspiring model is the world famous tomb of the first emperor Qin, who reigned immediately before the Han, and in turn they were of inspiration for the much later mausoleums of the Song dynasty. Using satellite data we investigate here on cognitive aspects of the project of these two groups of monuments, with particular attention to the problem of their orientation and of their placement in the landscape; in particular, the presence of two distinct patterns of orientation, both connected with the polar region of the sky, arises. The analysis includes the cultural relationships of astronomy with orientation and topography, as well as a negative test of the possible influence of the Feng Shui tradition in the Western Han period. The special, much relevant case of the funerary landscape of emperor Wen of Han is also discussed.