These types of progressive and you will continuous change make it ritual limbs spatulas to be classified toward really-defined types

Examination of each specimen excavated on various other tombs possess and that enabled us to influence the newest relative reputation of every tomb for the the overall chronology of Xibeigang. This new spatulas out of this tomb become higher decorated specimens, having a variety of themes carved for the save. This new west ramp off tomb 1550 incisions new southern ramp out of tomb 1001 (Profile step one), hence recommending one to 1001 pre-schedules 1550. Brand new spatulas out-of tomb 1550 nonetheless become high decorated specimens, but the construction themes come into shallower rescue (Figure 3b).

Tomb 1443 produced jade artefacts matchmaking to the Middle Shang several months, while you are tomb 50WGM1 yielded tan situations dating for the Yinxu I phase

The brand new east and you can south ramps of tomb 1004 cut the northern and western ramps (respectively) of tomb 1001 (Profile step 1). High painted spatulas was absent out of tomb 1004, therefore the framework motifs of one’s spatulas out of this tomb was less sophisticated and you can compliment within their performance than just regarding tomb 1550 (Contour 3b). Tomb 1004 is actually therefore probably developed after tomb 1550.

Tomb 1003 is probably developed after tomb 1004, given that spatulas was flatter in cross-section, the main construction elements can be found in shallower recovery while the record with the construction fields is actually left unfilled (Contour 3b). These transform suggest a much deeper simplification of design.

Tomb 1002 try most likely constructed immediately following tomb 1003, because main motif of your records towards framework fields (spirals) begins to end up being replaced by parallel outlines (Contour 3b). In tomb 1500 the newest spiral themes have been completely changed by the groups of synchronous outlines, suggesting that it was developed just after 1002.

The fresh north ramp out of tomb 1217 overlaps brand new southern ramp away from tomb 1500, additionally the spatulas out of this tomb enjoys incised line habits that have zero relief points (Contour 3b)bined, so it facts implies that tomb 1217 is afterwards than one another tombs 1002 and you can 1500, putting it at the conclusion of the complete cemetery succession (except for partial tomb 1576).

That it studies suggests that tomb 1001 ‘s the eldest on the succession (Profile 3b)

The newest available facts means that tomb 1400 (Shape 1) are situated between the structure off tombs 1550 and you can 1004. New bronze ships excavated of tomb 1400 time towards Yinxu II phase (Namba Source Namba [Uchida] 1990, Source Namba [Uchida] 1995a & Site Namba [Uchida] b; IA CASS 1994; see in addition to the OSM), while the boats regarding tomb 1001 date into late Yinxu We stage and the boats out-of tomb 1550 go out to the Yinxu II stage. People of tomb 1400, yet not, display faculties chronologically later on compared to those out-of tomb 1550 (see in addition to the OSM). So it then demonstrates tomb 1400 is created once tomb 1550. It should even be extra one a tan halberd and you will a beneficial Gu motorboat of tomb 1004 date on the later Yinxu II stage (Namba Resource Namba [Uchida] 1990, Resource Namba [Uchida] 1995a & Resource Namba [Uchida] b; get a hold of in addition to the OSM).

Tombs 1129, 1443 and you will 50WGM1 (that could represent brand new regal tombs away from around three Center Shang leaders), located in the eastern half new cemetery, just have two ramps attached to the north and you can southern corners of the main burial gap (Shape step 1). Tomb 1129 don’t give people datable artefacts. That it proof signifies that these tombs draw the start of new accessibility it area while the good cemetery for higher-ranking some one. The incomplete nature away from tomb 1576 as well as location from the center off a cluster from almost every other regal tombs shows that they marks the conclusion employing the spot due to the fact an excellent royal cemetery. These inferences hence produce the succession