Niuheliang Archaeological Site
牛河梁遗址
China · Liaoning
In brief
Niuheliang is a burial and ceremonial center of the Hongshan culture. The presence of temples, altars and tombs together reveals the layout of a sacred area separated from residential areas.
What was found?
- 1Goddess Temple and clay sculptures
Fragments of clay sculptures, including a life-size human head, were found in a semi-subterranean structure consisting of interconnected rooms. According to researchers, these figures with female characteristics may represent worshipped female ancestors.
- 2Jade dragons
Jade artifacts with coiled bodies and pig-like heads were recovered from graves. Their craftsmanship and placement in burials show the special value of jade.
- 3Stone cairn tombs
Stone cist graves differing in size and offerings were found beneath stone cairns. Differences between large central graves and small graves are important for investigating social status.
- 4Altar with three concentric rings
A stone cairn stands at the center of a circular arrangement consisting of three rings enclosed by upright stones. Together with the cylindrical ceramics beside it, it documents ceremonial architecture.
What does it point to?
The combination of temple, altar, and graves indicates a large center dedicated to ceremonies among Hongshan communities. According to researchers, the sizes of the graves and the distribution of jade offerings suggest that privileges within society were also expressed after death.
What did it teach us?
- Showed that Neolithic communities could construct extensive ceremonial structures.
- Revealed that grave architecture and offerings could reflect social differences.
- Documented the prominent place of jade craftsmanship in burial traditions.
Latest news / selected archive
The 2024 excavation report stated that the platforms and passage with drainage identified during work in 2021–2022 formed a planned architectural complex around the Goddess Temple.
Record
- Culture
- Hongshan
- First modern dig
- 1983
- Team / historical
- Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; Liaoning Institute of Archaeology; Niuheliang Site Museum
- Coordinates
- 41.2708°, 119.4525°
Sources
Nearby excavations
- Site of Xanadu 297 km
- Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian 346 km
- Yin Xu 725 km
- Shimao 834 km
- Gongsanseong Fortress 852 km
- Mireuksa Temple Site 880 km
- —
- —
- 12.000
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