Bridging the Qin and Han Dynasties, Paving the Way for the Sui and Tang Dynasties | The Northern Dynasties Archaeological Museum in Ci County, Hebei

【The Autumn of Turmoil·Northern Dynasties·Bridging the Qin and Han Dynasties, Paving the Way for the Sui and Tang Dynasties】There are two periods of division and chaos in Chinese history, one is the Southern and Northern Dynasties, and the other is the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms. The Northern Dynasties, which include the Northern Wei, Eastern Wei, Western Wei, Northern Qi, and Northern Zhou, were predominantly located in the northern part of China and lasted for more than 200 years. A large number of tombs from the Eastern Wei and Northern Qi periods have been discovered in the areas of Linzhang and Ci counties in Hebei today. Among them, the tombs of Princess RuRu and the Wan Zhang Grand Tomb (presumed to be the tomb of Emperor Gao Yang of Northern Qi) excavated in Ci County are the most abundant in unearthed artifacts. Traveling from the Archaeological Museum of Yecheng in Linzhang County to Ci County to visit the Northern Dynasties Archaeological Museum, the two are not far apart. This museum mainly houses collections of pottery figurines, murals, gold and silverware, Wei steles, and tomb epitaphs from the Northern Dynasties tombs excavated in Ci County. The museum is quite large and impressive, and its collections are somewhat singular, mainly consisting of various pottery figurines unearthed from the tomb of Gao Yang (Wan Zhang Grand Tomb), known as the 'miniature Terracotta Army.' Also on display are gold ornaments from Princess RuRu's tomb (the treasure of the museum), which are very small and extremely beautiful. Two Roman gold coins are also considered treasures of the museum. There is also a mural hall, which displays replicas of the Wan Zhang Grand Tomb murals, restored at a 1:1 scale, representing the pinnacle of Northern Dynasties mural art. The originals are now housed in the Hebei Museum. Tips1: Gold openwork inlay with flying apsaras and lotus child decoration — the treasure of the museum (Image 2), unearthed from Princess RuRu's tomb, is a decorative piece from her hat. In the lower right is an image of a flying apsara, and in the upper left is a lotus child, exquisitely beautiful. Byzantine gold coins (two pieces) — the treasure of the museum, unearthed from Princess RuRu's tomb, are physical evidence of the Eastern Wei and Northern Qi's interactions with the West through the Rouran. One of the coins features a bust of Byzantine Emperor Anastasius I on the obverse, and the other features Justinian I, with the reverse of both coins depicting the image of the goddess of victory. These two coins indirectly illustrate the important role of Ci County on the ancient Silk Road. At that time, Ci County, near Yecheng, was an important node on the Silk Road. Starting from here, passing through Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu, and other places, along the Silk Road, all the way to ancient Rome. 1500 years ago, two gold coins traveled thousands of miles from the Mediterranean to Hebei, a miracle created by the Silk Road. Tips2: The 52-meter-long spirit way mural of Emperor Gao Yang of Northern Qi (550–559) at his Wuning Mausoleum (Zhangwan) is the most exquisite Northern Dynasties mural discovered to date, featuring the emperor's exclusive ceremonial guard, auspicious birds and beasts, flowing clouds, and lotus flowers. The Zhangwan mural represents the highest level of Northern Dynasties painting art. Archaeologists have carefully removed it in its entirety, and it is now preserved in the Hebei Museum as a national first-class cultural relic and one of the top ten treasures of the Hebei Museum. The Northern Dynasties Archaeological Museum displays a complete replica. 📝Note tips: Free admission, entry with ID card.