Erlitou Archaeological Site
二里头
China · Henan
In brief
Erlitou is an important early city where palaces and specialized production areas have been excavated. Its identification as the capital of the Xia Dynasty is disputed among researchers.
What was found?
- 1Palace foundations
Foundations of large buildings with courtyards and surrounding corridors. According to researchers, they are important for understanding the development of later Chinese palace architecture.
- 2Bronze jue vessels
Three-legged drinking vessels with handles. They provide tangible examples of early bronze vessel production at Erlitou.
- 3Turquoise-inlaid bronze plaque
One example bearing a design resembling an animal face was found at chest level in tomb M11. It documents advanced inlay craftsmanship and elite grave furnishings.
- 4Turquoise dragon-shaped artifact
A dragon-shaped find made from pieces of turquoise. It shows that Erlitou's craftspeople could produce complex decorations.
- 5Bronze production workshops
Remains of workshops dedicated to bronzeworking were uncovered at the settlement. They allow the production setting to be examined alongside the metal artifacts.
What does it point to?
Erlitou displays pronounced social differences through its large buildings, specialized production, and rich grave furnishings. Researchers associate the site with the Xia dynasty; however, opinions differ on this historical identification.
What did it teach us?
- Documented early bronze vessel production and large architectural structures at the same center.
- Showed that turquoise inlay was an advanced craft.
- Enabled rich grave goods to be used to investigate differences in social status.
Latest news / selected archive
In 2024, it was reported that ditches and rammed-earth wall remains found to the north and east of the site could change the understanding of the city's boundaries.
Record
- Culture
- Erlitou
- First modern dig
- 1959
- Team / historical
- Erlitou team of the Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; Zhao Haitao
- Coordinates
- 34.6925°, 112.6900°
Sources
Nearby excavations
- Taosi Archaeological Site 172 km
- Yin Xu 217 km
- Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor and Terracotta Army 315 km
- Daming Palace Site 345 km
- Shimao 480 km
- Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian 625 km
- —
- —
- 12.000
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