The Neolithic Era
In Neolithic commoner burials, the most frequently found grave goods were various stone tools and pottery, as these were the daily necessities used by the deceased during their lifetimes. In contrast, aristocratic burials of that era commonly featured ritual objects made of jade; these items served as symbols of the status and wealth the individuals possessed while alive.
Pre-Qin and Han Periods
Prior to the Qin and Han dynasties (221 BCE–220 CE), grave goods in commoner burials consisted primarily of pottery, whereas the tombs of royalty and the nobility were replete with various bronze ritual vessels. Furthermore, dating back to the Shang and Zhou dynasties, the practice of burying chariots and horses alongside the deceased was also a widespread custom.
The Qin and Han Dynasties
During the Qin and Han periods, as the practice of human sacrifice was no longer permitted, large numbers of human figurines-crafted from clay and wood-began to appear in burials. Emperors such as Qin Shi Huang (reigned 247–210 BCE) and Emperor Jing of Han (reigned 157–141 BCE) went so far as to inter entire armies within their mausoleums. During this era, the presence of bronze vessels among grave goods gradually declined, giving way to exquisite lacquerware and various silk textiles-a shift that served as a true reflection of the social life of the time.
The Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties
During the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties (220–581 CE), the craftsmanship involved in porcelain production gradually matured; consequently, porcelain vessels and pottery figurines came to share equal prominence among grave goods. Tombs from the Tang Dynasty frequently contained sancai (three-color) glazed pottery-a specific type of funerary ware characterized by its vibrant and magnificent colors.
The Song Dynasty
The Song Dynasty marked a pinnacle in the development of ancient China's science, technology, and culture. From this period onward, both the socio-economy and scientific technology had reached a remarkable level of advancement. As a result, the variety of grave goods became increasingly diverse, and they no longer exhibited the distinct, era-specific characteristics that were so prominent in earlier burials.