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Towards Civilization⑩|Capital city ruins of Eastern Zhou Dynasty in Luoyang
Source：dahe.cn
Published：2023-01-07 12:11
"We should attach more importance to and put more efforts on archaeological research to carry forward the project of tracing the origins of Chinese civilization," stressed Chinese President Xi Jinping during his recent inspection tour to Anyang city, Henan province. Henan, cradle of the Chinese nation and civilization, is not only the birthplace of modern Chinese archaeology, but also the core area for tracing the origins of Chinese civilization. Together with the Development and Reform Commission of Henan Province and the Administration of Cultural Heritage of Henan Province, we are launching the "Towards Civilization" bilingual series featuring 13 key archaeological sites in Henan to help you catch a glimpse of wonderful Henan and brilliant Chinese civilization. Here is the 10th episode of the series: Capital city ruins of Eastern Zhou Dynasty in Luoyang.
近日，习近平总书记考察了殷墟遗址，提出考古工作要继续重视和加强，继续深化中华文明探源工程。河南是中华民族和中华文明的重要发祥地，中国现代考古学从河南起步，中华文明探源从河南开始。2022年11月5日起，大河网联合省发展改革委、省文物局推出《追寻文明的足迹》系列报道，一起走进厚重河南。今日推出第十期：《东周时期的天子之都——洛阳东周王城遗址》。
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Ji Yijiu, King Pingwang of the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC), relocated his capital from Haojing (today's Xi'an city of Northwest China's Shaanxi province) to Luoyi (today's Luoyang city of Central China's Henan province) in 770 BC, marking the beginning of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770-256 BC) in Chinese history. The capital ruins of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty are distributed in the area from Wangcheng Park to Luoyang Department Store in Xigong district, Luoyang city.
公元前770年，周平王东迁洛邑，建都于东周王城。东周王城遗址位于今洛阳市西工区王城公园至百货大楼一带，是东周时期周王都城所在地。
A tomb of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty. [Photo provided to dahe.cn]
In Chinese history, there are 25 kings that ruled the Eastern Zhou Dynasty. To facilitate historical research, it is further divided into two periods by historians: the Spring and Autumn (770-476 BC) and the Warring States (475-221 BC). The archaeological surveys and excavations suggest that the vast majority of the capital site is located in the central and western parts of Xigong district and well-preserved except its southeastern part destroyed by the Luohe River. Covering an area of 14 square meters, the capital site is basically square in shape with the Mangshan Mountain in its north while the Luohe River in its south. Outside the rammed-earth walls was a moat. The wall remains are easily found near Wunyuzhong village which located in an elevated position.
历史上的东周共传25王，分春秋和战国两个时期。经文物调查和考古发掘证实，其大部分位于今洛阳市西工区中西部，除东南角被洛河冲毁外，其余部分基本完好。东周王城遗址北依邙山，南临洛河，平面大体呈正方形，总面积14平方公里，四周为夯土城墙，墙外有护城河。今五女冢村附近地势较高，至今地面上仍能看到残存的东周王城城墙。
A cultural relic of the Warring States period. [Photo provided to dahe.cn]
To protect the capital site, a public park was built in its center, named Wangcheng (imperial city in English). Later, many important cultural relics were discovered, including many large horse and chariot pits as well as a large cemetery at the eastern part of the site, presenting a general picture of the capital.
为保护东周王城遗址，洛阳在城址的中心建设了王城公园，并对游人开放。以后，又多次在遗址区域有重要发现，特别是在王城东部发现了大型车马坑和大型墓葬，解开了东周王城陵区之谜，为了解东周王城的全貌提供了宝贵资料。
1 chariot with 6 horse. [Photo provided to dahe.cn]
It is worth noting that 18 horse and chariot pits were discovered in 2002. In the largest one, archaeologists found 26 chariots and 70 horse remains, including 1 chariot with 6 horse remains, which confirms the accuracy of a historical text describing a king riding in a chariot driven by six steeds.
值得一提的是，2002年，考古工作者先后发现了18座车马坑，并在规模最大的车马坑内清理出马车26辆、马70匹。其中，在一辆马车前面对称摆放着6匹马的骨骸，这印证了古文献当中“天子驾六”的记述。（编译/赵汉青 播音/杨佳欣 视频/何蒙贺 审校/焦丹）
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Editor：Zhao Hanqing