Xiadu

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Xiadu (Chinese: 下都; pinyin: Xiàdū) was the lower capital of Yan during the Warring States Period. The remains of the city are located in Yixian County, Hebei, China. At 30 km², Xiadu is the largest excavated city from the Warring States Period.

Xiadu was surrounded by a moat and rammed earth wall; the base of the city walls measures 40 m at its widest. The remains of some of the old city wall still remain; a portion, measuring up to 6.8 m high, still remains today.

The city was flanked by the Beiyi River to its north and by the Zhongyi River to its south. A wall and canal ran north-south through the middle of the city, dividing the city into an eastern and western city. Large workshops for casting iron, casting bronze, minting coins, making weapons, making pottery and making bone objects were all found in the eastern city. The palace and royal cemeteries were also located in the eastern city. Two cemeteries were discovered; 13 and 10 tombs were found in each. All the tombs were covered by a tumulus.

[edit] References

• Allan, Sarah (ed), The Formation of Chinese Civilization: An Archaeological Perspective, ISBN 0-300-09382-9