What are the mysteries of Xixia Mausoleum?
Some people think that the plane of Xixia Mausoleum is generally a vertical rectangular layout, mainly a mixed dense eaves structure of rammed earth, solid bricks and wood. It is through the combination of this rammed earth method and the brick-wood mixed dense eaves structure that the Xixia Mausoleum created a unique garden building form in China, which is firm and practical, which is one of the reasons why the main body of the Mausoleum still stands tall today. But many masonry buildings have been eroded and collapsed by wind and rain, not to mention rammed earth buildings.
Some people think that the original ancillary buildings around the mausoleum protected the main body of the mausoleum from wind and rain. And those ancillary buildings, some long gone, it is difficult to talk about the role of protecting the main body of the tomb.
Some people think that the tomb is at the eastern foot of Helan Mountain, and the Helan Mountain in the west is the natural barrier of the tomb, which blocks the invasion of northwest wind. But the main body and ancillary buildings of the tomb are also under the barrier of Helan Mountain. Why is the annex destroyed and the main body of the tomb safe and sound?
Mystery 2: Why doesn't grass grow on the grave? The eastern foot of Helan Mountain is rich in pasture, and there are many good places for herders to graze their cattle and sheep around the tomb of Xixia, but nothing grows on the tomb.
Some people say that the mausoleum is made of rammed earth, hard and smooth, and will not grow grass. But stones are harder than soil. As long as there is a slight crack, grass seeds fall and grass can grow. Isn't there even a crack in the mausoleum?
Some people say that when the mausoleum was built, all the soil was fumigated and lost the nutrients that allowed weeds to grow, so the grass could not grow. But can fumigation last for nearly a thousand years? There will inevitably be floating soil with grass seeds blown by the wind on the mausoleum. These eluvial soils are not fumigated. Why can't grass grow?
Mystery 3: Why don't birds land on the tomb? Northwest China is vast and sparsely populated, and there are more birds and animals than densely populated places, especially crows and sparrows with strong fertility can be seen everywhere. Crows fall on the backs of cattle and sheep, trees and various buildings, while sparrows fall in all places where they can rest, but not on graves.
Some people think that the tomb is bare and there is nothing to eat, so there are no birds. But there is nothing to eat on some bare stones or dead branches. Why do a large group of crows and sparrows often fall down? Birds also know that feudal emperors have authority and dare not offend them casually?
Mystery 4: The layout of Xixia Mausoleum is somewhat puzzling. The tombs are arranged from south to north according to chronological order or emperor's generation, but the arrangement of the specific location of each tomb seems to reflect some pre-designed plans. If you look down from the sky, it seems to be a figure.
Some people say it may be based on gossip, while others say it is arranged according to geomantic omen. However, the time difference between the death of the earliest king and the death of the last king is nearly 200 years. How can I determine my position according to gossip? Who could have predicted in advance that Xixia Congress would pass on the throne for eight generations?
Besides, Xixia was founded by the Tangut, which was a branch of the ancient Qiang people. They also worship gossip. Do they believe in Feng Shui? In a word, it is difficult for archaeologists and historians to explain why the pattern of the tomb is gossip. The secret contained in this has always been a mystery that modern people can't see through.
Western Xia imperial tombs