八(ba)里(li)橋(qiao),原名永通(tong)橋(qiao),因東距通(tong)州(zhou)8華里(li)而被(bei)百姓(xing)俗稱(cheng)八(ba)里(li)橋(qiao)。如今地鐵(tie)八(ba)通(tong)線(xian)、京(jing)哈高速路(lu)都從八(ba)里(li)橋(qiao)邊經(jing)過,每天人來車往,川流不(bu)息,但知道這座(zuo)古橋(qiao)滄桑歷史(shi)的卻為(wei)數(shu)甚少。 歷史(shi)上拱衛京(jing)師的古橋(qiao)有三(san)座(zuo),一(yi)(yi)為(wei)京(jing)西南的盧溝橋(qiao),二為(wei)京(jing)北(bei)昌平(ping)的朝宗橋(qiao),三(san)為(wei)京(jing)東通(tong)州(zhou)區的八(ba)里(li)橋(qiao)(永通(tong)橋(qiao))。 八(ba)里(li)橋(qiao)建于明(ming)正(zheng)統十(shi)一(yi)(yi)年(公元1446年),南北(bei)走向,橫跨通(tong)惠河,為(wei)石砌三(san)券(quan)拱橋(qiao)。中間大券(quan)如虹,可通(tong)舟楫,兩旁小券(quan)對稱(cheng),呈錯落之勢。橋(qiao)上的每塊石頭之間嵌(qian)鐵(tie)相(xiang)連(lian),十(shi)分堅(jian)固。
八里橋(qiao)(qiao)南(nan)北長50米(mi)(mi),東(dong)西(xi)寬16米(mi)(mi)。橋(qiao)(qiao)面兩(liang)側有32副石(shi)欄板,板面上的雕刻(ke)刀法流暢,粗獷有力。欄板上有望柱33對(dui),每個望柱上雕有石(shi)獅(shi)。石(shi)獅(shi)形態各(ge)異(yi),栩栩如生,可(ke)與盧溝橋(qiao)(qiao)石(shi)獅(shi)媲美。橋(qiao)(qiao)東(dong)西(xi)兩(liang)端各(ge)有一(yi)對(dui)戧獸(shou),長鬣密麟,昂(ang)首挺(ting)胸。護坡石(shi)上臥伏(fu)著四只鎮水(shui)獸(shou),扭頸傾頭,怒視(shi)碧波。橋(qiao)(qiao)南(nan)往東(dong)200米(mi)(mi)處,立有清(qing)雍(yong)正御制石(shi)道碑(bei)一(yi)座(zuo)。大橋(qiao)(qiao)兩(liang)岸(an),綠柳白(bai)(bai)楊,芳草(cao)萋萋,風景(jing)如畫。白(bai)(bai)天(tian),憑欄東(dong)望,可(ke)見巍巍古城;夜晚,扶欄觀水(shui),細波之中,月影婆娑,或(huo)(huo)如玉盤,或(huo)(huo)如銀鉤。若(ruo)有客航貨舟通(tong)過,槳(jiang)碎玉盤,水(shui)折銀鉤,甚為壯觀。昔日的通(tong)州(zhou)八景(jing)之一(yi)——長橋(qiao)(qiao)映月,指的就是此地。
《明(ming)英宗實錄》:“正統(tong)十(shi)(shi)(shi)一(yi)(yi)(yi)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)八(ba)(ba)(ba)月(yue),建(jian)通(tong)(tong)州(zhou)八(ba)(ba)(ba)里(li)莊橋(qiao)(qiao)(qiao),命(ming)工(gong)部(bu)右侍(shi)(shi)郎王(wang)(wang)永(yong)和(he)(he)督工(gong)。”又(you)據(ju)《通(tong)(tong)州(zhou)志》:“八(ba)(ba)(ba)里(li)莊橋(qiao)(qiao)(qiao)即永(yong)通(tong)(tong)橋(qiao)(qiao)(qiao),在(zai)(zai)普濟閘東(dong)。正統(tong)十(shi)(shi)(shi)一(yi)(yi)(yi)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)敕建(jian),祭酒李(li)時(shi)勉作記。”李(li)時(shi)勉的(de)(de)永(yong)通(tong)(tong)橋(qiao)(qiao)(qiao)記:“通(tong)(tong)州(zhou)城西(xi)八(ba)(ba)(ba)里(li)河(he),京都(dou)諸(zhu)水(shui)(shui)匯(hui)流而東(dong)。河(he)雖不廣,每夏秋之交雨水(shui)(shui)泛濫,常架木為(wei)橋(qiao)(qiao)(qiao),比舟為(wei)梁,數易輒壞。內(nei)官監太監李(li)德(de)以(yi)聞于上(shang),欲與其(qi)(qi)地(di)建(jian)石(shi)(shi)橋(qiao)(qiao)(qiao),乃命(ming)司禮監太監王(wang)(wang)振往經(jing)度之。總督漕運都(dou)督武興發漕卒(zu),都(dou)指揮僉事陳信領之,工(gong)部(bu)尚書(shu)王(wang)(wang)巹會計經(jing)費,侍(shi)(shi)郎王(wang)(wang)永(yong)和(he)(he)提(ti)督之,又(you)命(ming)內(nei)官監太監阮安(an)總理(li)之。橋(qiao)(qiao)(qiao)東(dong)西(xi)五十(shi)(shi)(shi)丈,為(wei)水(shui)(shui)道(dao)三(san)券,券與平(ping)底石(shi)(shi)皆(jie)交互(hu)通(tong)(tong)貫,錮以(yi)鐵,分水(shui)(shui)石(shi)(shi)護以(yi)鐵柱,當其(qi)(qi)沖,橋(qiao)(qiao)(qiao)南(nan)北(bei)二百(bai)(bai)尺,兩(liang)旁皆(jie)以(yi)石(shi)(shi)為(wei)欄。表二坊,題曰永(yong)通(tong)(tong)橋(qiao)(qiao)(qiao),蓋(gai)上(shang)所(suo)賜名也。又(you)立廟以(yi)祀河(he)神。經(jing)始在(zai)(zai)正統(tong)十(shi)(shi)(shi)一(yi)(yi)(yi)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)八(ba)(ba)(ba)月(yue),告成于十(shi)(shi)(shi)二月(yue),明(ming)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)三(san)月(yue)立石(shi)(shi)。”永(yong)通(tong)(tong)橋(qiao)(qiao)(qiao)歷經(jing)五百(bai)(bai)余年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian),明(ming)清、民(min)國和(he)(he)八(ba)(ba)(ba)十(shi)(shi)(shi)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)代屢加修葺,現(xian)狀(zhuang)為(wei)石(shi)(shi)砌三(san)孔(kong)拱券形,南(nan)北(bei)走向(xiang)。永(yong)通(tong)(tong)橋(qiao)(qiao)(qiao)曾(ceng)(ceng)是東(dong)至(zhi)山海關、南(nan)至(zhi)天津(jin)(jin)陸路交通(tong)(tong)的(de)(de)咽喉,歷史上(shang)該(gai)地(di)曾(ceng)(ceng)進(jin)行(xing)過兩(liang)次大規模(mo)的(de)(de)中(zhong)外戰爭,第(di)一(yi)(yi)(yi)次為(wei)咸豐(feng)十(shi)(shi)(shi)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(1860)英法侵略軍(jun)(jun)攻(gong)陷天津(jin)(jin)、通(tong)(tong)州(zhou)后,清政(zheng)府為(wei)保衛(wei)北(bei)京在(zai)(zai)這里(li)阻擊(ji)侵略軍(jun)(jun),進(jin)行(xing)了八(ba)(ba)(ba)里(li)橋(qiao)(qiao)(qiao)戰役。第(di)二為(wei)光(guang)緒二十(shi)(shi)(shi)六年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(1900)八(ba)(ba)(ba)國聯軍(jun)(jun)入侵北(bei)京,義和(he)(he)團在(zai)(zai)八(ba)(ba)(ba)里(li)橋(qiao)(qiao)(qiao)狠狠打擊(ji)了侵略者的(de)(de)囂張氣(qi)焰。橋(qiao)(qiao)(qiao)東(dong)京津(jin)(jin)公路北(bei)側有(you)(you)雍正十(shi)(shi)(shi)一(yi)(yi)(yi)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(1733)所(suo)立的(de)(de)“御制通(tong)(tong)州(zhou)石(shi)(shi)道(dao)碑(bei)”一(yi)(yi)(yi)座,碑(bei)文記載了當年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)修筑朝(chao)陽關外石(shi)(shi)道(dao)之事。此碑(bei)列為(wei)區級文物保護單位。另(ling)傳,村內(nei)曾(ceng)(ceng)住有(you)(you)一(yi)(yi)(yi)海姓滿人,共婦王(wang)(wang)碼漢卡(ka)氏(shi)為(wei)乾隆帝弘歷之乳母。雍正三(san)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(1725)在(zai)(zai)此為(wei)其(qi)(qi)立有(you)(you)一(yi)(yi)(yi)碑(bei),現(xian)已無存(cun)。
2013年5月,被國務院核定公布為第七批全國重(zhong)點文物保護單位。
1994年4月,北京大學考(kao)古系發(fa)掘隊對八里(li)橋(qiao)進行了搶救(jiu)性發(fa)掘,揭露面積(ji)100平方米,清理灰(hui)坑14座。出土遺(yi)(yi)(yi)物中的(de)(de)陶(tao)(tao)器(qi)有夾砂灰(hui)陶(tao)(tao)、黑陶(tao)(tao)、紅褐陶(tao)(tao)及泥質陶(tao)(tao),一(yi)(yi)些(xie)陶(tao)(tao)片上還(huan)發(fa)現(xian)有刻劃符號或(huo)文(wen)字,制法(fa)為(wei)輪制、手制。器(qi)形有大口尊(zun)、罐、鼎、豆(dou)、爵、器(qi)蓋等。石器(qi)多(duo)為(wei)殘(can)斷(duan)生產(chan)工(gong)具,磨制粗糙(cao)。可辨類有:石鉞、石斧(fu)、石鏟(chan)等。這(zhe)些(xie)為(wei)研究豫西南地區夏商時期的(de)(de)政治、文(wen)化(hua)、經濟狀況(kuang)提供了依據。 據考(kao)證,八里(li)橋(qiao)遺(yi)(yi)(yi)址(zhi)(zhi)屬(shu)夏代,文(wen)化(hua)層堆積(ji)較薄,內涵單一(yi)(yi),但灰(hui)坑分布相當密(mi)集(ji),遺(yi)(yi)(yi)物遺(yi)(yi)(yi)跡(ji)豐富,具有重要的(de)(de)科研價(jia)值。 為(wei)加強(qiang)對這(zhe)一(yi)(yi)遺(yi)(yi)(yi)址(zhi)(zhi)的(de)(de)保護,進一(yi)(yi)步(bu)了解(jie)這(zhe)一(yi)(yi)時期的(de)(de)政治、文(wen)化(hua)、經濟狀況(kuang),今年6月份該(gai)遺(yi)(yi)(yi)址(zhi)(zhi)被列(lie)入(ru)河南省重點文(wen)物保護單位。
1994年4月,北(bei)京大學考(kao)(kao)古系(xi)發掘隊(dui)對八里橋進行了(le)搶(qiang)救性(xing)發掘,揭(jie)露面(mian)積100平方(fang)米,清(qing)理灰(hui)坑(keng)14座。出土遺(yi)物中的(de)陶器有夾砂灰(hui)陶、黑陶、紅褐陶及泥質陶,一(yi)些(xie)陶片上還發現有刻劃符號(hao)或文(wen)字,制法為(wei)輪(lun)制、手制。器形有大口尊、罐(guan)、鼎、豆、爵、器蓋等(deng)(deng)。石器多為(wei)殘斷生產工具,磨制粗糙。可(ke)辨類有:石鉞、石斧、石鏟等(deng)(deng)。這(zhe)些(xie)為(wei)研(yan)究豫西南地(di)區夏商時(shi)期的(de)政治、文(wen)化(hua)(hua)、經濟狀(zhuang)況提(ti)供了(le)依據。 據考(kao)(kao)證,八里橋遺(yi)址屬夏代(dai),文(wen)化(hua)(hua)層堆積較(jiao)薄(bo),內涵單一(yi),但灰(hui)坑(keng)分布相(xiang)當密集(ji),遺(yi)物遺(yi)跡豐富,具有重要的(de)科研(yan)價(jia)值。