安阳西高穴一号墓性质及墓主身份新考 - 兼论曹操高陵陵园制度的变迁-

The deaths and burials of Cao Cao（曹操） and his family members hold significance not only in archaeology and history but also in cultural history. The Xigaoxue Tomb M1（西高穴一号墓） is located within the mausoleum complex of Cao Cao's Gaoling（高陵）.Scholarly interpretations regarding the nature of Xigaoxue M1 have variously identified it as a joint burial or an accompanying tomb, with proposed occupants including Bianshi (卞氏) or Cao Ang (曹昂). An analysis of the archaeological remains within and surrounding the tomb pit reveals that Tomb M1 was abandoned abruptly before construction was finished. The tomb's period of use does not align with the date of Bianshi's death and burial, and its level and scale are inconsistent with her status. Cao Ang died in battle and remained without posthumous honors for an extended period; interring him in the Gaoling Mausoleum would not have conformed to Cao Cao's own philosophy of tomb planning. This paper argues that the occupant of Tomb M1 was most likely Cao Cao's first principal wife, Dingshi（丁氏）. Historical records indicate that Cao Cao likely arranged for Dingshi's reburial at a new site shortly before his own death, prompting the construction of Tomb M1. However, upon ascending the throne, Cao Pi（曹丕） re-planned the Gaoling Mausoleum complex in accordance with Han dynasty traditions. Including Dingshi's tomb adjacent to Cao Cao's would have violated these customs and, crucially, undermined the legitimacy of Cao Pi's own status as the primary heir, particularly given the apparent tension between him and Dingshi. Multiple historical clues substantiate that Tomb M1 was initiated shortly before Cao Cao's death and was abandoned when Cao Pi initiated his own vision for the Gaoling Mausoleum.