Diagram of Tomb 2 at Lijiazui, Panlongcheng, Huangpi, Xian, Hubei Provincei

Chinese bronzes have been preserved because they were among the grave goods placed in the tombs of royalty and the upper classes. Accompanying the ruler into the afterlife were ceremonial bronzes, ceramics, weapons, amulets, and ornaments, as well as the humans and animals of his entourage, such as his wives, slaves, horses, and chariot. This diagram shows the plan of Tomb 2 at Lijiazui, Panlongcheng, Huangpi Xian, Hubei Province, where two dozen bronze vessels, including this food cauldron, were found.