Hongshan Culture (China)
(4700 BC to 2900 BC)
What happened?
The Hongshan culture was a Neolithic culture in northeastern China. It was situated in the basin of the West Liao River (= river Xiliao). Sites have been found in an area stretching from Inner Mongolia to Liaoning. They date from about 4700 BC to 2900 BC.
The culture is named after Hongshanhou, a place in the Hongshan district, Chifeng. The first site was discovered in 1908. The culture was preceded by the Xinglongwa culture (6200 BC – 5400 BC), the Xinle culture (5300 BC – 4800 BC) and the Zhaobaogou culture (5400 BC – 4500 BC). The Yangshao culture (5000 BC – 3000 BC) coexisted with the Hongshan. The Lower Xiajiadian culture (2200 BC – 1600 BC) succeeded the Hongshan culture.
Nomads inhabited the West Liao Basin. They grew millet. It belonged to about 75% of their diet. The culture is known for its carved jade. Burial artifacts include some of the earliest known examples of jade carving. Clay figurines can also be found at the Hongshan sites. Small copper rings were also unearthed.
Archaeological finds a unique ritual complex. The temple was constructed of stone platforms, with painted walls. Exceeding large figurines of deities, are not reflective in any other Chinese culture. The existence of complex trading networks and monumental architecture point to the existence of a chiefdom during those prehistoric communities. Hongshan also provides the earliest evidence for feng shui. Early feng shui relied on astronomy to find correlations between humans and the universe.
The region once featured rich aquatic resources and deep lakes and forests, which existed from 10.000 BC to 2000 BC. Climate change, beginning about 2200 BC, turned the region into desert. Some of the people of the Hongshan culture emigrated south to the Yellow River Valley about 2000 BC.
Therefore, some Chinese archaeologists see the Hongshan culture as an important stage of early Chinese civilization. The culture may have contributed to the development of the ancient Korean settlements.
Tomb Pottery Jar
± 4000 BC to ± 3500 BC
This beautiful authentic Chinese pottery jar dates from the Neolithic age. It is exceedingly small and was probably used for spices, perfume, oil or the like. It is made of a kind of clay pottery or ceramic. The object clearly shows heavy signs of wear and age. It has been lightly cleaned. The jar was originally found in a tomb by an archaeological team in China. It was then part of a private collection in China and sold to a private collection in New York. Now it is part of our historical collection, where we want to give the incredibly rare piece a worthy place.
Weijiawopu Archaeological Site is located south of Hongshan District, 20 km from the center of Chifeng City. The terrain is relatively flat. Collected pottery samples in 2008 confirmed the Hongshan culture. Between 2009 and 2011, a joint archaeological team consisting of the Inner Mongolia Institute of Cultural Relics and Archeology and the Frontier Archeology Center of Jilin University conducted official excavations.
The site dates from 4000 BC to 3500 BC. It has been a large-scale settlement cluster that is best preserved. Weijiawopu contains the richest varieties and the greatest number of excavated cultural remains. Residential ruins, cellars, sacrificial pits, and trenches were found.
For the study of settlement forms of the Hongshan culture, the excavations yielded rich materials. The materials found are also of inestimable academic value. It casts a picture of the population, society, lifestyle and the relationship between man and nature during this Neolithic civilization.
The archaeological site is a high-quality residential ensemble and many well-arranged residential houses. The inhabitants developed an advanced agriculture, as evidenced by the substantial number of tools for production. Food was supplied by hunting, gathering, and fishing. The family became the primary social unit. The handiwork became more professional. The pottery industry was advanced. Characteristic was painted pottery and widely used.