Lelang Tombs — Han Colony Tombs Pyeongyang
Han Chinese Lelang Commandery (108 BCE–313 CE)·Han Chinese colonial (Lelang)·🇰🇵 Pyongyang, Rangnang District, Lelang tombs zone, North Korea
About
About Lelang Tombs — Han Colony Tombs Pyeongyang
Rangnang Lelang excavated by Japanese colonial 1920s and DPRK, 108 BCE Han colony after Wiman Joseon conquest. Recorded context — Period: Han Chinese Lelang Commandery (108 BCE–313 CE); Culture: Han Chinese colonial (Lelang); Field status: excavated; Materials: wood chamber, lacquer, bronze mirror; Condition: partially looted.
Why it mattersKey Han Chinese colonial (Lelang) tumulus with stratified sequence and regional typology.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Function of enclosure
- 02Collapse cause
Theories
- 01Seasonal gathering
- 02Ceremonial centre
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 50 BCE–100 CE peak
- Period
- Han Chinese Lelang Commandery (108 BCE–313 CE)
- Culture
- Han Chinese colonial (Lelang)
- Purpose
- Chinese Han commandery cemetery with lacquerware and mirrors — northern Han colony burial ground 1400 tombs
- Rediscovered
- Modern excavation 1903
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 1200 BCE major extension
Major expansion / refurbishment at Lelang Tombs — Han Colony Tombs Pyeongyang
1970 excavation
Modern rediscovery and scientific excavation of Lelang Tombs — Han Colony Tombs Pyeongyang
c. 50 BCE–100 CE peak
Initial construction / first occupation at Lelang Tombs — Han Colony Tombs Pyeongyang
On the ground
Structures & features
38.9120° N · 125.6470° E · 75 m · 4 mapped features
- Lelang Tombs — Han Colony Tombs Pyeongyang — Principal Chamberchamberchamber at Lelang Tombs — Han Colony Tombs Pyeongyang — outlier feature38.9126° N · 125.6455° E
- Lelang Tombs — Han Colony Tombs Pyeongyang — Northern Dromosdromosdromos at Lelang Tombs — Han Colony Tombs Pyeongyang — outlier feature38.9110° N · 125.6463° E
- Lelang Tombs — Han Colony Tombs Pyeongyang — Mound Annex 3moundmound at Lelang Tombs — Han Colony Tombs Pyeongyang — subsidiary complex38.9113° N · 125.6461° E
- Lelang Tombs — Han Colony Tombs Pyeongyang — Chamber Annex 4chamberchamber at Lelang Tombs — Han Colony Tombs Pyeongyang — primary structure38.9105° N · 125.6481° E