Han Dynasty (206BC-AD220) stone carved tombs in Central and Eastern China
This thesis studies Han Dynasty stone carved tombs in Central and Eastern China. These multi-chambered tombs were constructed from carved stone slabs, and were very popular among the Han people. However, such horizontal stone structures were entirely new, and were a result of outside stimuli rather than an independent development within China. The stone carved tombs were a result of imitating royal rock-cut tombs, while the rock-cut tombs were stimulated by foreign examples. Moreover, many details of stone carved tombs also had Western features. These exotic elements were incorporated to satisfy specific requirements of the Han people, and reflected the desire to assimilate exotica within Chinese traditions. Some details within stone carved tombs showed high level of stone working technologies with Western influences. But in general the level of stone construction of the Han period was relatively low. The methods of construction showed how unfamiliar the Western system was to the Han artisans. Han Dynasty stone carved tombs were hybrids of different techniques, including timber, brick and stone works. From these variations, Han people could choose certain types of tombs to satisfy their specific ritual and
Li, Chen
Archeology ; Architecture ; History of art and visual culture ; History of Asia & Far East ; Chinese ; Han Dynasty ; stone tombs ; rock-cut tombs ; sculpture ; pictorial programme ; Silk Road ; Koguryo
Han Dynasty (206BC-AD220) stone carved tombs in Central and Eastern China. This thesis studies Han Dynasty stone carved tombs in Central and Eastern China. These multi-chambered tombs were constructed from carved stone slabs, and were very popular among the Han people. However, such horizontal stone structures were entirely new, and were a result of outside stimuli rather than an independent development within China. The stone carved tombs were a result of imitating royal rock-cut tombs, while the rock-cut tombs were stimulated by foreign examples. Moreover, many details of stone carved tombs also had Western features. These exotic elements were incorporated to satisfy specific requirements of the Han people, and reflected the desire to assimilate exotica within Chinese traditions. Some details within stone carved tombs showed high level of stone working technologies with Western influences. But in general the level of stone construction of the Han period was relatively low. The methods of construction showed how unfamiliar the Western system was to the Han artisans. Han Dynasty stone carved tombs were hybrids of different techniques, including timber, brick and stone works. From these variations, Han people could choose certain types of tombs to satisfy their specific ritual and
han_dynasty bc_ad stone carve tombs central eastern china study han_dynasty stone carve tombs central eastern china multi tomb construct carve_stone popular among han people however horizontal stone structure entirely_new outside stimuli rather independent development within china stone carve tombs imitate royal rock cut tomb rock cut tomb stimulate foreign example moreover many detail stone carve tomb also western feature exotic element incorporate satisfy specific requirement han people reflect desire assimilate within chinese tradition detail within stone carve tomb show high_level stone work technology western_influence general level stone construction han period relatively low method construction show unfamiliar western system han artisans han_dynasty stone carve tombs hybrid different technique_include timber brick stone work variation han people could choose certain_type tombs satisfy specific ritual