Zhangsidun Site

Zhangsidun Site

The Zhangsidun Site is a national key cultural relic protection unit.

The Zhangsidun Site, also known as the Zhangsidun Cultural Site, is a key cultural relic protection unit of Anhui Province. It is located in Sanyi Community, Daqiao Subdistrict, Yixiu District, Anqing City, Anhui Province. The site was discovered in 1976, underwent trial excavations by the Anqing Cultural Relics Management Office in 1978, and was officially excavated by the Anhui Provincial Cultural Relics and Archaeology Team in 1980. The site's deposits consist of two cultural layers: one dating from approximately 7000–5000 BCE during the late period of the matrilineal clan commune, and another from the Shang Dynasty (1600–1100 BCE). The unearthed artifacts mainly include stone and pottery items. Stone tools comprise stone adzes, axes, spades, balls, sickles, huangs (a type of jade pendant), and net sinkers. Pottery pieces include tripods, cauldrons, jars, basins, cups, net sinkers, and spinning whorls, predominantly red and gray pottery with a wide variety of intricate patterns, showcasing a high level of pottery-making craftsmanship.

Introduction

The Zhangsidun Site is just 8 kilometers south of the Yangtze River and about 15 kilometers east of it. Its northeastern part is adjacent to a connected water area comprising Shitang Lake, Guanqiao Lake, and Pogang Lake, which links to the Yangtze River. The site covers a total area of 21,000 square meters and consists of four earthen mounds along with a lowland area surrounded by them. Its plan resembles an arc-sided triangle, with the mounds rising 2–4 meters above the surrounding ground. The mounds have relatively thick accumulations, while the central flatland has very thin deposits.

Experts analyze that this is yet another branch of primitive culture distributed in southwestern Anhui after the Xuejiagang Culture. The Zhangsidun Culture likely began around 2600 BCE, though its end date remains undetermined. It has long been one of the topics of keen interest among archaeologists.

On May 3, 2013, the Zhangsidun Site was designated by the State Council as part of the seventh batch of national key cultural relic protection units.

Archaeological Discoveries

Trial excavations at Mound No. 1 revealed that the thickest cultural deposit reached 2.7 meters. Layers 1 to 4 represent Shang and Zhou dynasty accumulations, while layers 4 down to 8 belong to the Neolithic Age. The Neolithic cultural remains are relatively homogeneous, with tripods, steamers, jars, gui (a type of ancient vessel), dou (bean-shaped vessels), and cups forming the main components of the Zhangsidun cultural elements. This can be referred to as the lower Zhangsidun Culture, all belonging to the Zhangsidun type. This type represents another branch of primitive culture distributed in southwestern Anhui after the Xuejiagang Culture. The lower Zhangsidun Culture can be divided into closely linked Phase I and Phase II, considered as two successive stages of the same culture. However, their exact periods are still difficult to define precisely, so discussions on the dating of the Zhangsidun type must be considered as a whole. Generally speaking, the Zhangsidun type roughly corresponds to the late Dawenkou Culture and Liangzhu Culture in northern Anhui, as well as the early Shijiahe Culture, and is later than the local Xuejiagang Culture. Since no artifacts from the late Shijiahe Culture have been found in the Zhangsidun type so far, its end date may be earlier than the latest period of the Shijiahe Culture. Based on the absolute chronological frameworks of these neighboring cultures, the Zhangsidun type likely began around 2600 BCE, though its end date remains undetermined. (Reference: "On the Fate of the Xuejiagang Culture from the Perspective of the Zhangsidun Site")

Folklore

At the picturesque shores of Shitang Lake at the foot of the magnificent Dalong Mountain lies a shining pearl — Zhangsidun. As a Neolithic cultural site and a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit, Zhangsidun is home to a beautiful and touching legend.

Legend has it that the Jade Emperor of Heaven was originally a mortal, surnamed Zhang, known as Zhang the Jade Emperor. He had seven daughters, called the “Seven Fairies.” These fairies were all as beautiful as celestial beings, intelligent and clever. The youngest, the “Seventh Fairy,” and her love story with Dong Yong, a mortal scholar, became widely known through the famous opera "The Heavenly Match." But it wasn’t just the Seventh Fairy who longed for life on Earth — another fairy, the Jade Emperor’s fourth daughter — Zhang Sijie (Fourth Sister Zhang), also yearned deeply for the human world. She secretly came down to Earth and settled in what is now Zhangsidun.

It is said that after Zhang Sijie arrived at Zhangsidun, the area enjoyed favorable weather, abundant harvests, and thriving industries. Everyone loved and respected her. Whenever there were neighborhood disputes, her presence could turn conflict into harmony. For weddings or funerals, families would always invite her as an honored guest. People believed she turned the place into a blessed land. Even the local mountain grew rapidly, soon competing in height with Bambooshan, a spur of Dalong Mountain across the river. Bambooshan couldn’t keep up. Before long, the peak soared into the clouds, reaching Heaven itself. When the Jade Emperor heard of this, he was furious and ordered the Thunder God to split the mountain. With a loud thunderclap, the Thunder God struck the peak with his twin hammers, breaking it in half and forming four earthen platforms. Thus, the place earned the name Zhangsidun (Four Mounds of Sister Zhang).

The Jade Emperor, angered by this incident, blamed Zhang Sijie for descending to Earth and ordered heavenly soldiers to bring her back to Heaven under strict supervision. It is said that Zhang Sijie later sneaked back to Earth, returned to Zhangsidun, married a local, and lived a happy life. Perhaps some of today’s residents of Zhangsidun are her descendants. (Reference: Space of Clear Sounds of Mountains and Waters)

Protected Area: Centered on the site, extending 110 meters east and west, and 50 meters north and south.

Construction Control Zone: Extending 40 meters east and west beyond the protected area, reaching the southern end of the pond to the south and Baise Lake to the north.

Sanyi Community: Sanyi Community is located in the northeast of Daqiao Subdistrict Office, bordered by Shitang Lake to the north, Wuzui and Xiaokeng Residents' Committees to the south, Wuxiang Community to the east, and Anqing International Auto City to the west. Twelve Road runs through the area. It covers a land area of 1.8 km², includes 10 villager groups, and has a population of 1,655. The community currently has 30 Party members, divided into 3 Party groups, with 4 members on the Party branch committee and 4 on the Residents' Committee.

In 2005, during the administrative division adjustment of Anqing, Sanyi Community was transferred from Baisehu Township to the newly established Daqiao Subdistrict Office. In 2006, it was restructured from an administrative village into a community. ... Sanyi Community detailed information++

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relic Protection Units