Archaeologists have uncovered dozens of ancient sites linked to the Hongshan culture in Northeast China’s Liaoning Province, shedding new light on one of the country’s oldest civilizations.
The findings, confirmed by the Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, provide fresh insights into how early communities lived and evolved nearly 6,000 years ago. The newly identified sites are part of the Wubaiding site complex in Lingyuan, covering approximately 285,000 square meters.
During a recent survey, researchers collected pottery shards, stone tools, and soil samples from different periods, revealing a total of 53 sites. Among them, 38 cultural remains date back to the Neolithic and Bronze Ages, offering valuable evidence about early settlement patterns.
Experts believe the discoveries offer key information about how ancient communities formed and interacted within the broader Hongshan culture.
Archaeologists have recently discovered multiple Hongshan culture sites in the city of Lingyuan, NE China’s Liaoning Province, providing new evidence of the evolutionary process of Hongshan culture dating back roughly 5,000 to 6,000 years, according to the Liaoning provincial… pic.twitter.com/Sci3MzdjY8
— China Science (@ChinaScience) March 10, 2025
According to Yu Huaishi, a researcher at the institute, the findings help map the evolution of human settlements in the region.
“This archaeological survey provides key coordinates for exploring settlement sites that evolved in coordination with the core area of Hongshan culture,” Yu said.
The Hongshan culture dates back approximately 5,000 to 6,000 years and is recognized as one of China’s most significant prehistoric civilizations.
It primarily thrived in western Liaoning Province but also extended into northern Hebei Province and eastern Inner Mongolia. Liaoning is considered the core area for research due to the density and richness of Hongshan sites found there.
The Hongshan culture is renowned for its sophisticated jade artifacts, including the emblematic “pig dragon” carvings. These artifacts highlight the advanced craftsmanship and symbolic artistry of the society.
Additionally, the culture is notable for its clay figurines, some depicting pregnant women, which suggests a focus on fertility and possibly religious practices. The presence of complex burial sites and ceremonial structures indicates a society with intricate social and spiritual systems.
The discoveries at Wubaiding contribute to a growing body of research on early Chinese civilizations. Previous excavations have unveiled large ceremonial sites, burial mounds, and artifacts that suggest a highly developed
The newly found sites could provide additional clues about how Hongshan communities lived, traded, and interacted with neighboring cultures.
The discoveries at Wubaiding add to a growing body of research on early Chinese civilizations. Past excavations have revealed large ceremonial sites, burial mounds, and artifacts that suggest a highly developed society.
The findings mark a significant step in understanding China’s prehistoric past, offering a glimpse into a civilization that thrived thousands of years before written records began.
