楚墓中的殉葬现象述略

Slightly Discussion about Sacrificial Victims Phenomenon in the Chu Tombs

楚墓殉葬制度的研究,对还原楚文化的面貌,反映楚国社会生活状况和思想意义重大。殉葬现象在原始社会时期就已经出现了,商代时达到鼎盛,周、春秋、战国皆有殉葬的习俗,它在楚墓中主要表现为人殉葬,车马殉葬,各类动物殉葬这三个方面。

The research about the institution of burying the alive with the dead is of great significance to restore Chu culture, and to reflect Chu social conditions and thoughts. This phenomenon have already happened in primitive society and experienced its peak development in Shang dynasty.The special custom also existed in Zhou dynasty, Spring and Autumn Period.But in Chu Tomb, the alive things buried with the dead are mainly made up of three ： people, oxen and horses as well as other animals.