Core Viewpoint - The discovery of a couple's joint burial tomb from the Northern Song Dynasty in Shanxi Province provides significant evidence for distinguishing between Song and Jin burial practices [1][2][3] Group 1: Archaeological Findings - The tomb, dated to the eighth year of the Yuanyou era (1093), was excavated in the western outskirts of Fenyang and contained a rich array of artifacts, including 21 items such as painted ceramic soul towers and bowls, which are believed to serve a protective function [2] - The tomb structure is a soil cave type, consisting of a burial passage, door, and chamber, and is unique in the region as most Song Dynasty tombs are brick chamber structures [2][3] Group 2: Historical Context - The tomb belongs to Du Taijun and her husband, with their son Ren Fang responsible for the burial, indicating familial connections and practices of the time [2] - Previous excavations in the area lacked specific dating, often being broadly categorized as belonging to the Song and Jin periods, making this discovery crucial for clarifying the distinctions between these two historical periods [3] Group 3: Significance of Artifacts - The intact combination of ceramic soul towers and bowls found in the tomb offers important references for studying the funerary items and their functional uses in similar contemporaneous burials [3]