The Ancient Dian Kingdom Culture

The Ancient Dian Kingdom culture, which flourished from the late Spring and Autumn period to the early Eastern Han Dynasty, was centered around Dianchi Lake (滇池) and primarily spread across the Jinping District (晋宁县) of Kunming (昆明), Yunnan Province (云南省). This unique culture is exemplified by its bronze artifacts, with key archaeological sites including the Jinping Shizhaishan (石寨山) tomb complex, the Hebosuo (河泊所) site, and the Li Jiashan (李家山) tomb in Jiangchuan (江川). Some of the significant discoveries include the Gold Seal of the Dian King (滇王金印), a bronze ox-tiger altar, and shell storage containers.

The Formation of the Ancient Dian Kingdom (古滇国)

The Dian Kingdom (滇国) was formed when the Han Dynasty (汉朝) established the Yizhou Prefecture (益州郡) and granted the Dian King a gold seal. This governance system followed the “dual governance of prefecture and kingdom” model. Excavations at Shizhaishan (石寨山) have revealed numerous tombs from the late Warring States period and early Han Dynasty, yielding important finds such as bronze artifacts and the Dian King’s gold seal. Further excavations at Hebosuo (河泊所) between 2021 and 2023 uncovered Han Dynasty (汉代) official seals and documents, confirming it as the administrative center of the Yizhou Prefecture.

Key Features of the Culture

• Transition from bronze to iron agricultural tools

• Introduction of ox-plowing techniques

• Significant multi-ethnic integration

The Shizhaishan Culture (石寨山文化)

Shizhaishan culture, named after the site in Jinping District (晋宁县), represents a major facet of Yunnan’s (云南) bronze culture (云南青铜文化). The archaeological focus is on the southeast banks of Dianchi Lake (滇池), particularly in areas such as Jincheng (晋城), Shangsuang (上蒜), and surrounding hills like Jinsha Mountain (金沙山), Xiao Liangwang Mountain (小梁王山), Dawan Mountain (大湾山), and Zuowei Mountain (左卫山). Research has shown that this region was not only the center of Ancient Dian culture (古滇文化) but also the heart of Southeast Asian bronze civilization.

Jinping District Overview

Jinping (晋宁), the ancient capital of the Dian Kingdom (古滇国), is considered the birthplace of Dian culture (滇文化) and the center of Yunnan’s bronze culture (云南青铜文化). Archaeological evidence suggests that the Dian Kingdom (滇国) existed as early as the 5th century BCE. Historical records from the Records of the Grand Historian (史记) describe the fertile and resource-rich region surrounding Dianchi Lake (滇池), renowned for its crops, trees, and abundant wildlife.

Historical Significance

In 286 BCE, the Chu (楚) leader Zhuang Qiao (庄蹻) subdued the local tribes in the Dian region (滇区). With the subsequent rise of the Qin Dynasty (秦) and their conquest of Sichuan (四川) and Guizhou (贵州), Zhuang Qiao was blocked from returning to Chu (楚) and integrated into the local society, where he became known as the “Dian King” (滇王). By 109 BCE, the Han Dynasty (汉王朝) sent forces to the region, leading to the submission of the Dian King (滇王) and the establishment of the Yizhou Prefecture (益州郡).

Excavation Timeline

Between 1955 and 1996, archaeologists conducted five major excavations at Shizhaishan (石寨山), unearthing 86 ancient tombs from the late Warring States period to the early Han Dynasty. These excavations resulted in the discovery of over 5,000 artifacts, including bronze tools, weapons, and religious objects, providing valuable insights into the material and spiritual life of the ancient Dian people (古滇人).

The Shizhaishan Tomb Complex (石寨山古墓群)

Shizhaishan (石寨山), located in Shizhai Village (石寨村), Shangsuang Township (上蒜乡), is a key archaeological site. The hill stands 33 meters tall and spans 500 meters from north to south. It serves as the burial ground for the Dian Kings (滇王) and their families from the Warring States to the Han Dynasty. The site also features Neolithic shell mounds. The discovery of bronze artifacts here in the 1950s led to further excavations that uncovered a wealth of cultural relics, greatly enhancing our understanding of Ancient Dian culture (古滇文化).

The Cultural Legacy of the Ancient Dian Kingdom

The Ancient Dian culture (古滇文化) is marked by its distinctive ethnic traits, openness to external influences, and integration of diverse cultures. Over time, it absorbed and adapted external cultural elements, shaping a grand and inclusive civilization. The influence of the Dian culture (滇文化) can still be seen in later cultures such as Cuàn (爨), Nanzhao (南诏), and Dali (大理), and continues to affect the diverse ethnic cultures of Yunnan (云南) today.

The Dian culture (滇文化) played a pivotal role in the cultural development of the region, acting as a unifying force that connects the past to the present. Its legacy can still be seen in the vibrant ethnic diversity that defines modern Yunnan.

Famous Figures from Jinping

The Ancient Dian culture (古滇文化) produced several notable figures, including Zhuang Qiao (庄蹻), known as the “King, General, and Great Master of Ancient Dian” (古滇王庄跷), Zheng He (郑和), the famous naval commander of the Ming Dynasty (明朝), and the scholar-poet Li Xiu (李秀), who played a significant role in the Jin Dynasty (晋朝) military. These figures, along with many others, reflect the intellectual and cultural richness of the region.