Maqiao Ancient Cultural Site

Maqiao Ancient Cultural Site

The Maqiao Ancient Cultural Site is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Maqiao Ancient Cultural Site (MaqiaoGuwenhuaYizhi) is situated on the northwest side of the confluence of Beizhugang and Yutang in Maqiao Town, Minhang District. It spans around 5,000 square meters. Discovered in 1959 and excavated in 1960 and 1966, the site has yielded more than 500 artifacts made of stone, jade, pottery, bone, and bronze, representing a typical remnant of the early Incised Pottery Culture in the Taihu Lake region. In 1982, it was officially named the “Maqiao Culture.” The discovery of the site proves that humans inhabited the area over 4,000 years ago, providing tangible materials and scientific evidence for the study of Shanghai’s history and the ancient cultures of China’s southeast region, as well as the interactions and influences between northern and southern cultures. It was designated as a municipal-level protected site in 1977.

The Maqiao Site is the largest known site containing elements of the Maqiao Culture. Excavations carried out between 1993 and 1997 have produced abundant data. This research project has systematically and comprehensively organized and published this material, including Neolithic Liangzhu Culture remains, Xia and Shang period Maqiao Culture remains, and relics from the Spring and Autumn, Warring States, and Song-Yuan periods—with the Maqiao Culture remains being the most abundant. Artifacts unearthed include pottery, stone tools, bone and horn implements, and bronze ware from various periods, as well as a large number of animal remains. Additional natural remains were obtained through sampling and analysis. Multidisciplinary studies—including archaeology, micro-paleontology, zoology, botany, and silicate analysis—were conducted on both the cultural and natural remains. DNA analysis was also performed on human bones from Liangzhu and Maqiao Culture burials. The comprehensive and in-depth study of the Maqiao Site and Maqiao Culture has resulted in the most detailed excavation and research report to date, fully disclosing all discovered cultural and natural remains and presenting the latest findings. The Maqiao excavation report not only enables the academic community to gain a more holistic understanding of the Maqiao Culture and advances in-depth research on ancient cultures in the Taihu Lake region, but also facilitates comparative studies of Central Plains and surrounding regional cultures during the Xia and Shang periods. It holds significant importance for exploring the process of civilization along the Yangtze River basin.

In May 2013, it was designated by the State Council as part of the seventh group of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.