Shiban Mountain Dolmen

Shiban Mountain Dolmen

The Shiban Mountain Dolmen is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Shiban Mountain Dolmen is located on the southern plateau of Shiban Village, Er’tai Township, Gaizhou City. It lies 5 kilometers southeast of — and 2.5 kilometers northeast of Jiuzhai, hence it is also known as the “— Dolmen” or “Jiuzhai Dolmen.” During the Qing Dynasty, the dolmen was used as a temple and was also called “Guyun Temple.”

Shiban Mountain is located 45 kilometers south of Gaizhou City, on the northern bank of the Fudu River (commonly known as the Liguan Village River). With gently sloping terrain, it stands at an elevation of 56 meters and has a circumference of over 4,400 meters. The dolmen is built atop Shiban Mountain. According to the *Compendium of Local Chronicles in Northeast China*, “Shiban Mountain is situated southeast of Toutai South District, ninety li south of the city. It rises over twenty zhang high, is rocky in composition, and features a dolmen that can accommodate several people.”

Despite more than four thousand years of weathering, the dolmen’s original form remains intact. This masterpiece created by human society still stands majestically today. Before the Cultural Revolution, the dolmen was repurposed as a temple, which was demolished in 1966. A crack is visible at the lower front corner of the eastern wall, and the base stone is fractured and incomplete.

The dolmen was likely constructed during the Bronze Age, or possibly even the late Neolithic Age, making it the earliest above-ground structure discovered in China to date and a remarkable example of megalithic culture. Dolmens are primarily distributed across the Liaodong Peninsula in China, especially with the highest concentration in our city. The Shiban Mountain Dolmen is the largest, most exquisitely crafted, and best-preserved of its kind found in China to date, considered a world wonder, with a history of over four thousand years. It is built from four large, processed and polished granite stone slabs, oriented 4 degrees southeast. The structure is rectangular in plan. Three vertical stone slabs on the east, west, and north sides form three walls (the south side is missing), topped with a single large slab, while the interior is paved with stone slabs. The overall height is 3.1 meters, with an inner height of 2.4 meters, a length of 2.65 meters from north to south, a width of 2.1 meters at the front, and 1.95 meters at the back. The capstone extends beyond each of the upright walls, symmetrically on all sides, with longer extensions on the north and south sides. Viewed from the side, it appears higher at the south and lower at the north, resembling a flat-roofed house. The inner and outer surfaces, sides, and chamfered edges of all the stone slabs have been carefully processed and polished to a smooth finish. The structure covers an area of approximately 50 square meters.

The capstone is a large, rounded rectangular slab, measuring 8.6 meters in length from north to south, 5.7 meters in width from east to west, and 0.45–0.55 meters in thickness. It protrudes beyond the east and west walls, creating a sizable sheltered area. The wall stones fit together neatly, standing 2.9 meters high with a slight upward tilt. The eastern wall consists of a slab that is narrower at the top and wider at the bottom, standing 2.23 meters high, 2.45 meters wide at the top, and 2.8 meters wide at the bottom. It is 0.15 meters thick at the top and 0.23 meters thick at the bottom, tilting inward at 5 degrees at the top. The western wall has the same shape as the eastern wall, standing 2.55 meters high, 2.45 meters wide at the top, and 2.8 meters wide at the bottom. It is 0.15 meters thick at the top and 0.24 meters thick at the bottom, tilting inward at 4 to 5 degrees. The northern wall is situated adjacent to the northern ends of the eastern and western walls, narrower at the top and wider at the bottom, 2.3 meters wide at the top and 2.8 meters wide at the bottom. It stands 2.45 meters high, is 0.118 meters thick at the top and 0.28 meters thick at the bottom. It extends 1.3 meters beyond the eastern wall and 1.4 meters beyond the western wall, tilting inward at 4 degrees. The base stone is laid flat within the three upright walls, measuring 2.7 meters in length, 1.9 meters in width, and 0.25 meters in thickness, standing 0.12 meters above ground level.

Regarding the original purpose of prehistoric dolmens, there are several theories: some believe they served as tombs, others as sacrificial sites, and still others as places for religious activities, among other interpretations. In any case, the dolmen represents one of humanity’s great historical achievements, and its mysteries await further research. These dolmens, varying in scale, are invaluable and rare historical treasures.

The Shiban Mountain Dolmen, along with nearby attractions such as Longtan Waterfall, Wang’er Tianqiao (Bridge to See the Son), Mantou Stone Steps, Rabbit Island Tidal Waves, Lama Ancient Cave, and Zhang Guolao Bridge, forms part of the Eight Scenic Spots of Xiongyue. This area boasts a concentration of cultural relics and picturesque landscapes, offering breathtaking scenery. The abundance of natural and cultural resources provides immense potential for tourism development.

In 1963, the Provincial People’s Committee designated the Shiban Mountain Dolmen as a Provincial-Level Cultural Relics Protection Unit. Over the years, under the protection of governments at all levels, the dolmen has remained undamaged. In 1996, the State Council (State Council Document [1996] No. 47) declared the Shiban Mountain Dolmen a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Er’tai Township: A township under the jurisdiction of Gaizhou City. Established in 1954 as the Fourth Fruit Farm of Gaixian County, it was renamed Er’tai Farm in 1958 and became Er’tai Township in 1983. Located in the southern part of the city, it is 45 kilometers from the municipal government, covering an area of 20.8 square kilometers with a population of 9,000. It has road access. The township administers ten village committees: Dong’er’tai, Xinan’gou, Miaopu, Paifangdian, Mashizhai, Yaogou, Zhongxin, Xumu, Shibeng, and Shibengshan. The main agricultural product is fruit. Notable scenic and historic sites include the Shibeng Ancient Temple. …… More detailed information about Er’tai Township++

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units