---
title: Tomb Entrance from Han Dynasty China
author: James Blake Wiener
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7562/tomb-entrance-from-han-dynasty-china/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Tomb Entrance from Han Dynasty China

_Authored by [James Blake Wiener](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/jbw288/)_

## Image File

[![Tomb Entrance from Han Dynasty China](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/7562.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/7562.jpg)

## Image Caption

Until about the 2nd century BCE, Chinese tombs featured chambers made of heavy wooden logs. Thereafter, tombs were made of stone and brick. This stone-made example from the [Han Dynasty](https://www.worldhistory.org/Han_Dynasty/) (206 BCE-220 CE) makes clear that the tombs of the wealthy were also seen as subterranean residences. Adorned with beautifully decorated walls, they were furnished with everything that the occupant might need in the hereafter. Although criticized by social reformers, lavish [burial](https://www.worldhistory.org/burial/) customs persisted. Tombs in ancient [China](https://www.worldhistory.org/china/) were meant to last and to be visited by relatives over time with offerings. Stone tablets bearing the occupant's name, dates, and a short biography were also deposited in the [tomb](https://www.worldhistory.org/tomb/). These would survive beyond the family lineage. (Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto)

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

James Blake Wiener has a particular interest in cross-cultural exchange and world history. He is a co-founder of World History Encyclopedia and formerly was its Communications Director.
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameswiener)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Wiener, J. B. (2017, November 07). Tomb Entrance from Han Dynasty China. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7562/tomb-entrance-from-han-dynasty-china/>
### Chicago
Wiener, James Blake. "Tomb Entrance from Han Dynasty China." *World History Encyclopedia*, November 07, 2017. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7562/tomb-entrance-from-han-dynasty-china/>.
### MLA
Wiener, James Blake. "Tomb Entrance from Han Dynasty China." *World History Encyclopedia*, 07 Nov 2017, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7562/tomb-entrance-from-han-dynasty-china/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [James Blake Wiener](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/jbw288/ "User Page: James Blake Wiener"), published on 07 November 2017. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.