Archaeologists have unearthed the largest jade dragon ever discovered from the Hongshan culture, at a stone tomb site in Chifeng, north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
The Hongshan culture (ca. 3500–2500 BCE), the first of the Jade Age (late Neolithic) cultures of ancient China, was centered in the Liao River basin, in the far northeast of the East Asian Heartland Region. With its dedication to the status of finely carved jade and its portrayal of fantastical animals (like the iconic “pig-dragon” of Hongshan), it marks the start of an illustrious history that regards metamorphism as a fundamental religious idea.
A news conference was held on Sept 13 in North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region to announce the latest archaeological findings related to the Hongshan Culture.
A group from the Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has been conducting an archaeological survey in Aohan Banner, Chifeng city, for almost four months, starting in April 2024.
Archaeologists have uncovered the largest stone tomb of the late Hongshan Culture in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. This discovery marks the first instance of identifying a burial and sacrificial site that combines southern and northern Chinese architectural styles, revealing clear layout features and construction sequences.
For the first time, more than 100 pieces of Hongshan culture jades were unearthed at one time, covering almost all types of Hongshan culture jades.
Chinese archaeologists also have unearthed the largest jade dragon ever discovered from the Hongshan culture.
Measuring 15.8 cm long, 9.5 cm wide, and 3 cm thick, the artifact was found at a site featuring a circular tomb in the north and a square altar in the south, which is the only one of its kind ever found in the region.
The unearthed jade artifacts include most types associated with the Hongshan Culture as well as items similar to jade crown ornaments from the Lingjiatan culture. This discovery fills a significant gap in the archaeological study of Hongshan Culture jade artifacts in Inner Mongolia.
In addition to the architectural remnants, the site has also yielded discoveries of human skeletal remains, burials, fire pits, and cylindrical object pits. The unearthed artifacts include jade and painted pottery basins and tripod pottery cups, among others.
The last findings were made public at a symposium of the Chinese Archaeological Association, Chifeng City, entitled ‘”The Brilliant Stars of Chinese Civilization: 70th Anniversary of the Naming of Hongshan Culture’ in Chifeng City.
Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
Cover Image: China Daily