Now and Then

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ID: 322074
2026
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Abstract
Abstract Fuhao’s tomb at Yinxu, the late Shang dynasty’s capital from 1250 to 1050 BCE, is regarded as one of the most important archaeological finds of the 20th century in China. It is the most ancient intact royal burial ever excavated by Chinese archaeologists. Fuhao, a consort of the Shang King Wuding, is the earliest person in China’s history to be documented through both textual records and material remains. The tomb, its burial goods, and Fuhao herself have thus been major subjects of research. However, the social and political background of the tomb’s discovery, identification, and subsequent impact have not been systematically reviewed. In this chapter, I apply a tailored object biographical approach to trace the social lives of Fuhao’s tomb. I first contextualise the discovery, excavation, and initial publication of the tomb in the late 1970s. The tomb’s burial goods and references to Fuhao on oracle bones have attracted enormous academic interest across multiple themes, including material production, sources, and Fuhao’s social networks. Perspectives on researching Fuhao and her tomb have shifted over the last few decades, both contributing to and reflecting the development of Chinese archaeology. Meanwhile, Fuhao’s story has been disseminated to the public through museum displays and other popular media. To explore representations and interpretations of Fuhao and her burial goods in special exhibitions, three international case studies from the 1980s to the 2010s are analysed. These demonstrate a shift from highlighting Fuhao’s treasures to considering her as a complex individual.
Reference Key
openalex_W7170049583 Use this key to autocite in the manuscript while using SciMatic Manuscript Manager or Thesis Manager
Authors Qin Cao
Journal Oxford University Press eBooks
Year 2026
DOI
10.1093/oxfordhb/9780197800324.013.0008
URL
https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780197800324.013.0008
Keywords Keywords not found

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