Western Xia Mausoleums

What it is

The Western Xia mausoleums are a group of nine imperial tombs and about 250 smaller tombs near Yinchuan in northwestern China, built for the rulers of the Western Xia dynasty between about 1038 and 1227. The tombs feature rammed-earth mounds that were originally covered with brick, tile, and decoration, set inside walled enclosures with gate towers.

Why it matters

The Western Xia dynasty, founded by the Tangut people, was conquered by Genghis Khan's Mongol forces, and the campaign against it occupied his final years; he died in 1227 as the conquest was completed. No mausoleums were built for the last three Western Xia emperors because the state collapsed before there was time, making the empty final burial ground physical evidence of the destruction Genghis Khan's campaigns caused.

Look closer

• What does the absence of tombs for the last three Western Xia emperors tell us about how suddenly their state fell?
• Why might studying the conquered side of history be as important as studying the conqueror's story?
• What questions can an archaeological site like this answer that written chronicles cannot?