The Underground Dynasty: Ancient Chinese Tombs, Explained by Gu Mao

Behind every ancient tomb lies our ancestors’ wild imagination of the world after death! Explore 35,000 years of Chinese burial culture and immerse yourself in the mystery and romance of the underworld!

This is a fascinating, in-depth introduction to Chinese funerary archaeology, tracing the evolution of burial culture across 35,000 years. People buried beneath beds after death, human heads steamed in pots, the underworld governing the world, immortals with official appointments... This isn’t fiction, but real history!

Drawing on specialized knowledge from anthropology, archaeology, religion, ancient architecture, and other fields, the book traces the origins and evolution of burial culture through time and space. It challenges the narrow accounts found in history books, restores overlooked historical details, and presents the spiritual world and social life of the ancients from a fresh perspective.

Packed with real archaeological excavation cases, from the majestic imperial tombs of the pre-Qin era to the splendid and fantastical Mawangdui in Changsha, and the ingenious tomb designs of the Ming and Qing dynasties, this book lays out the full story of how Chinese burial customs evolved...