Kathmandu— Archaeologists have made significant discoveries at a prehistoric site in Liaoning Province, northeast China, shedding light on the origins of Chinese civilization. The Niuheliang site, representing the Hongshan culture, features monumental ritual structures and numerous relics dating back 5,000 to 5,800 years. Recent excavations reveal an ancient complex covering approximately 100,000 square meters, including platforms mirroring constellations and altars aligned with solar events, offering new understanding of early Chinese cosmology and religious beliefs.

A Center for Ritual and Worship

The Niuheliang site, first discovered in 1981 within the city of Chaoyang, is distinguished as a large-scale prehistoric burial and worship center separate from residential areas. Nine large platforms and associated structures have been identified, outlining the extent of this ancient complex. Archaeologists uncovered seven neatly arranged burnt soil pits on one platform, their configuration mirroring the shape of the Big Dipper, suggesting an intentional connection to celestial observation.

Cosmology Reflected in Ancient Structures

Researchers also unearthed a triple concentric circular altar with a diameter of approximately 22 meters. They believe the three tiers correspond to key solar nodes – the winter solstice, spring and autumn equinoxes, and summer solstice – demonstrating an advanced understanding of timekeeping and astronomical events. Jia Xiaobing, head of the excavation project from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), noted that both the altar and pits reflect ancient reverence for heaven and earth, providing valuable clues to later ritual systems.

Hongshan Culture’s Expanding Reach

The Hongshan culture is not limited to Liaoning Province; multiple sites have been discovered in neighboring Hebei Province and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. These locations have yielded a wealth of jade objects intricately carved into the shapes of dragons, phoenixes, and human figures. Wang Wei, a CASS researcher, explained that the culture evolved from appreciating jade’s beauty to using it as a conduit to the divine, with these articles becoming symbols of status, power, and faith. The culture itself is named after the red rocky hill where its characteristic pottery was first discovered in 1935.

International Recognition of Hongshan's Significance

The importance of the Hongshan culture extends beyond China’s borders. Shahbaz Khan, director of the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, described it as a foundational chapter in human development during a recent conference on the culture. American scholar Elizabeth Childs-Johnson, who has studied the Hongshan culture for decades, highlighted its “very sophisticated method of ritual architecture,” noting that it is one of several early Neolithic cultures that influenced traditional Chinese beliefs about spirit metamorphosis. Diplomats and representatives from over 20 countries attended the conference, with Egypt’s ambassador to China, Khaled Nazmy, drawing parallels between the Hongshan and ancient Egyptian civilizations as sources of inspiration and friendship.

The ongoing research at Niuheliang and other Hongshan sites continues to deepen our understanding of early Chinese civilization and its contributions to human history. Further excavations and international collaborations are planned to promote awareness of this important cultural heritage.

(With inputs from Xinhua)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.