By the reigns of emperors Wen and Jing (180 BCE – 141 BCE), under the policies of ‘allowing the people to rest and recover’ and ‘light corvee and low taxes’, the small‑farm economy revived, and society grew more stable as granaries overflowed. Grain accumulated in the capital’s Grand Granary year after year, and treasuries overflowed with coins that had decayed from age and could no longer be counted. The state’s wealth grew steadily. This period is reputed as the ‘Reigns of Wen and Jing’.

This star guided tour is hosted by Professor JIAO Nanfeng, Research Fellow, Shaanxi Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology; Distinguished Professor, Northwest University, who has published several academic publications and engaged in excavation and research work related to Qin and Han dynasties. ‘The Majestic Han’ exhibition features an array of numerous valuable relics unearthed from the tomb related to emperor and marquis, such as collections from Hanyangling Museum, Nanchang Relic Museum of Marquis Haihun State of Han Dynasty, as well as the exhibits from Hebei Museum, unearthed at Han Tomb No. 1, Lingshan, Mancheng, Hebei, which was occupied by Liu Sheng, King Jing of Zhongshan. Through this tour, Prof. JIAO will share with you more in-depth knowledge towards the exhibits, as well as the experience of participating in major archaeological excavation projects.

Remarks on the enrolment and event

Han-dynasty multi‑storey painted pottery granary houses have been found in large numbers in tombs in Jiaozuo city, Henan province. This phenomenon is closely linked to the region’s distinctive political, economic and cultural background. Situated on the fertile alluvial plains of the Yellow River, Henei Commandery was an area of advanced agricultural technology and one of the major grain‑producing regions of the time. Since pottery granary houses symbolised wealth, elite landowners showcased their prosperity by reproducing the large granaries of their estates in miniature form as burial goods.

Ms. MA Rong, tutor of the workshop will introduce the background and the usage of the granary house in Han dynasty, which enables the participants to experience the grandeur of the architectural aesthetic of that era, as well as the cultural transmission network of the Central Plains. Participants will then have the chance to make their own rubbing artwork by using woodblocks during the hands-on session to ‘replicate’ the glamour of this millennium-old relic.

Remarks on the enrolment and event

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