P'AN-LUNG-CH'ENG

Pinyin Panlongcheng, Chinese archaeological site from about the middle of the Shang dynasty period (18th12th century Bc ). The site, located near the confluence of the Yangtze and Han-shui rivers in central Hupei, consists of five graves and two storage pits that were first excavated in 1963 and a town wall and palace foundations that were uncovered in 1974. P'an-lung-ch'eng was an ancient walled town of hang-tu construction, covering an area of 850 by 950 feet (260 by 290 metres). Chinese archaeologists have reconstructed its probable layout. There was a large palace, which was a hall in four bays surrounded by a continuous corridor. This is apparently a typical Shang palace type. A wooden coffin found in one of the tombs was incised with an animal mask and designs of thunderclouds. These are the earliest wood carvings yet found in China. Among more than 60 objects also discovered were several bronze axes with cicada and dragon decorations. Buried together with the owner of these were three sacrificed slaves.