The most recent Neolithic discoveries from Sanxingcun in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River were recently highlighted at the Fifth Archaeological Forum in Shanghai.
The site, which dates to between 6,500 and 5,500 years ago, in present-day Jintan District of Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, was discovered in the Second National Census of Cultural Relics in 1985. 1,000 Neolithic tombs, 4,000 artifacts and 1,200 well-preserved human bones. It was officially listed as one of China’s 10 greatest archaeological discoveries in 1998.
The latest excavations began in 2022 and continue what they started 30 years ago. This study is carried out through the Institute of Archeology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Nanjing Museum, Changzhou Institute of Archeology and Jintan Museum.
The new excavations have unearthed more than 570 sites spanning from the Neolithic to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The highlight is an agreement that dates back to the middle and end of the Majiabang culture and the beginnings of the Songze culture. These Neolithic cultures in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River date back to about 6,000 and 5,500 years ago, respectively.
It has an approximate area of 350,000 square meters. In the center is a loess platform of about 10,000 square meters.
Altogether 345 tombs, 210 ash pits, 12 houses and other structures, as well as about 1,000 artifacts have been unearthed during the latest excavations, Institute of Archaeology researcher Li Moran says.
Based on the distribution patterns of Neolithic remains and artifacts, the entire site can be divided into functional areas, adding residential, funerary, and pottery and bone tool production areas.
“This time, we plan to excavate the central loess platform, the tombs to the south, and the residential and craft spaces to the north, and hope to expand a panoramic view of how other people lived there about 6,000 years ago. ” saying.