Gangshang Site

Gangshang Site

The Gangshang Site is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Gangshang Site is located in Linquan County, Fuyang City, dating back to the Neolithic Age, Xia-Shang-Zhou periods, and the Han Dynasty.

The site is located on an elevated plateau about a mile east of the village, locally called "Taoxing," with the rest adjacent to the Guo River, where the water flows from south to north before turning west. The Gangshang Site faces the Xushicun Site (now in Shanting District) across the river. The site stretches approximately 300 meters from north to south and 200 meters from east to west, covering a total area of about 60,000 square meters. Observations from the cliff on the western riverbank reveal numerous layers of ash deposits in the soil, mixed with red burnt earth particles, human bones, animal bones, and pottery fragments. During the Cultural Revolution, the site suffered severe damage when a canal was dug from east to west in the central area. During excavation, many intact human bones, pottery, stone tools, bone tools, jade artifacts, and turquoise were discovered. Among them, a jade ornament with a human face design is particularly exquisite—measuring 3 cm in length and 3.6 cm in width, it features incised outlines of a human face with elliptical eye sockets. Short lines inside the sockets represent eyes, a triangular nose, and a mouth indicated by short horizontal lines. The expression on the face is subtle and serene, bearing clear religious significance. This jade human-face ornament not only provides valuable material evidence for studying prehistoric carving art but also offers insights into the primitive religion of the Dongyi tribes. During this excavation, which lasted half a month, eight tombs, one ash pit, and one exploratory trench were cleared, yielding over a hundred cultural relics and specimens. Based on the excavation data, the earliest remains at the site belong to the Dawenkou Culture of the Neolithic Age, with cultural layers from several different historical periods including Longshan, Shang, and Zhou Dynasties. Carbon samples collected from the site were dated using radiocarbon (C14) testing, showing an age of around 6,000 to 4,000 years ago, spanning approximately 2,000 years.

Through archaeological excavation and research, experts have determined that the Gangshang Site represents a transitional phase from a matrilineal clan society to a patrilineal one, during which there was also a fundamental shift in social ideology. First, in terms of marriage, it evolved from exogamous group marriage to pairing marriage—that is, a man and a woman cohabiting for a more or less unstable period. The emergence of pairing marriage contributed to the collapse of matriarchy and the rise of patriarchy. The establishment of a patrilineal system was a result of advancements in productive forces. By this time, agriculture, animal husbandry, and handicrafts had all developed significantly, with men taking the dominant role in production while women were relegated to secondary positions. With their economic advantage, men’s social status rose, wealth became concentrated in their hands, and lineage was calculated along the paternal line.

During the Gangshang cultural period, agriculture remained the primary industry, with significant improvements in farming tools and an increase in crop varieties. Animal husbandry was also well-developed, with a greater variety and number of domesticated animals. Handicrafts had become an independent sector, and pottery-making techniques began using the potter’s wheel. Pottery came in two types: sandy clay pottery and clay pottery. Early pieces were mainly red pottery, while later examples included gray, black, and white pottery in addition to red. Most pieces were plain but often polished. A notable feature of pottery decoration was the appearance of perforations, a technique mainly seen on dou vessels and high-stemmed cups. Based on collected bone needles and pottery spinning whorls, it is evident that primitive handicrafts had developed, making it possible to sew clothing using wild fibers and animal hair.

The Gangshang Site spans from the Beixin Culture to the Dawenkou Culture period, continuing through the Longshan Culture and into the class society, lasting over 2,000 years. It holds significant historical research value for studying the developmental sequence of late primitive cultures in Tengzhou.

In 2019, the Gangshang Site was designated as part of the eighth batch of Provincial-Level Cultural Relics Protection Units by the Anhui Provincial People's Government.

In 2019, the Gangshang Site was included in the eighth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Further Reading:

· First Batch of Shandong Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Eighth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units