Research Items

Abstract

Mortuary Caves of Szechwan, China. Relics from the artificial caves of Szechwan Province in western China have been described by the collector, Mr. David C. Graham (Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., Art. 16, vol. 80). Thousands of these artificial caves are to be found in the sides of the hills and cliffs from Hupeh Province on the east to the highlands of the Szechwan-Tibetan border and along the Yellow River in the province of Kansu. Varying from a few feet to 130 ft. in depth and about six feet high by six feet wide, they are carved from the solid stone, the sides plainly showing chisel marks. Some are so close to one another that holes have been knocked in the dividing walls. It is popularly believed that they are barbarian; but on both historical and archaeological grounds it is demonstrable that they do not antedate the Chinese and almost certainly belong to the Han dynasty at about the beginning of the Christian era. The best caves have elaborate carvings above and around the front openings and on the sides and pillars near the entrance. Certain conventional designs in these carvings are also found on Han monuments of various types. A large number of burnt clay figures have been collected from the caves. Glazed figures are rare, but a fragment of a bottle-neck and part of a pottery bell show a green glaze. The figures include the foot of an elephant, dogs, fowls, horses heads, human figures among these, servants, actors, a figure playing a flute, etc., in costumes which indicate that little change has taken place in dress down to the present day. The clay vessels show the use of the potters wheel. The commonest artefact is the earthenware coffin. Many carvings and artefacts reflect customs or represent implements in present use among the Chinese, but not among any primitive tribes.