Located on both sides of Weiwu Avenue in Bozhou, the complex primarily includes the Dongyuan Han Tombs, Cao Sigu Dui, Liuyuan Gu Dui, Xuejia Gu Dui, Guanyinshan Gu Dui, Zhangyuan Han Tombs, Mayuan Han Tombs, Yuanpai Fang Han Tombs, Yuanbao Pit Han Tombs, and more. Covering an area of approximately 10 square kilometers, it is quite vast. According to historical records, there is a tomb complex south of Bozhou city for figures such as Cao Teng, Cao Bao, Cao Song, Cao Can, and Cao Yin. Recent archaeological excavations have confirmed that, in addition to the tombs of Cao Teng and others mentioned in the ‘Commentary on the Water Classic’, there are also tombs for Cao Ding, Cao Luan, Cao Xun, Cao Shui, Cao Xian, and many unknown individuals. It is evident that the Cao family, since the rise of Cao Teng, formed a large bureaucratic group with an extensive ancestral burial ground. From the excavated tombs, it is known that the Cao family’s ancestral tombs have a similar layout, all large in scale, constructed with brick and stone in a multi-chambered design, typically consisting of an anteroom, central chamber, rear chamber, and a varying number of side or auxiliary chambers. Notably, the stone-structured tomb of Cao Teng and the brick-structured tomb of Cao Song are representative. The tombs of the Cao clan often feature stone-structured entrances adorned with portrait carvings, and the walls and vaults of the tomb chambers are decorated with colorful murals. Precious artifacts such as jade kangmao, jade pigs, silver-threaded jade suits, and jade pillows have been unearthed. The more than 800 tomb bricks with inscriptions found in the tombs are quite eye-catching. They include various calligraphic styles such as clerical script, seal script, cursive script, regular script, and running script, with inscriptions that record the names of Cao family members or local officials, as well as phrases reflecting people’s dissatisfaction with the society at the time. The site is open all year round and accessible 24 hours a day.
Cao Cao’s Family Tombs
Located on both sides of Weiwu Avenue in Bozhou, the complex primarily includes the Dongyuan Han Tom[...]
