A Study on the Newly Discovered Tomb Inscriptions from the Wei,Jin and Sixteen Kingdoms Periods in Dunhuang,Gansu Province
A set of tomb inscriptions found in 2014-2015 at the Foyemiaowan-Xintaidian tombs in Dunhuang,Gansu province,date to the Wei,Jin and Sixteen Kingdom periods and are of significant historical value for research on the surnames of the families for whom the tombs were built,as well as the evolution of grassroots administrative organizations in ancient Dun-huang.The tomb inscriptions mention seven people with five different surnames:Zhai,Dou,Zhong,Sun,and Wang.Obtaining clear records of these names complement both the names of the townships of Dunhuang and the other surnames found in other in-scriptions from the Wei,Former Liang,and Later Liang dynasties;they also fill in gaps in our knowledge about the townships of the Wei and Later Liang,in particular,and provide several missing links regarding the activities of the members of these respec-tive families.The inscriptions also serve to supplement historical records by providing the names of the villages and communities in Dunhuang during the Wei period ruled by the Cao family(one of the Three Kingdoms),and those of the Northern Liang and Later Liang dynasties.This information verifies the continuity of Dunhuang grassroots organizations and the continued influence of these families throughout the Sixteen Kingdoms period.It also,however,reflects new changes in the place names of various burial sites and residences in Dunhuang that occurred during the Wei,Jin and Sixteen Kingdoms periods.Further research on the grassroots organizations in ancient Dunhuang will benefit greatly by consulting tomb inscriptions such as these.
Wei,Jin and Sixteen Kingdoms periodsDunhuang tomb inscriptionssurnamesgrassroots administrative organizations
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