Jinzhai Site

Jinzhai Site

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

The Jinzhai Site, located around Jinzhai Village in Zhuangli Township, Xiao County, Suzhou City, Anhui Province, is the largest Neolithic site in the Xu-Huai region.

The Jinzhai Site is surrounded by mountains on all sides, with its boundaries defined by rivers to the west and north, a ditch to the south, and the eastern edge of a gully to the east. It spans approximately 800 meters from east to west and 600 meters from north to south, covering a total area of about 500,000 square meters. The site dates back to the late Neolithic period, and its cultural characteristics resemble those of the middle to late Dawenkou Culture and the early to middle Longshan Culture. It was a central settlement in the Xu-Huai region during the late Neolithic period. Archaeological discoveries at the Jinzhai Site include 30 Neolithic tombs, two moats, and other remains such as Neolithic house foundations, ash pits, ash ditches, and tombs. Over 200 cultural relics have been unearthed, including pottery, stone, and jade artifacts—specifically, 134 jade artifacts, 27 pieces of turquoise, 4 stone tools, and 2 pottery items.

On March 28, 2019, the Jinzhai Site was approved as an Anhui Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit. On October 7, 2019, it was included in the eighth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Zhuangli Township: Located at the northernmost tip of Anhui Province, Zhuangli Township in Xiao County sits at the intersection of Jiangsu, Shandong, Henan, and Anhui provinces, just 30 kilometers from Xuzhou, a major transportation hub in northern Jiangsu. The Sui-Xu Expressway runs north to south, providing convenient transport. The area is home to the national-level Huangcangyu Forest Park, the provincial-level Tianmensi Forest Park, and the under-construction tourism resort destination “Tianyijiao Amusement Park.” With its beautiful mountains and rivers, tranquil environment, and simple local customs, it offers a picturesque setting. The township lies in the low mountain and hilly area of the Huabei Plain’s hinterland and is known for producing high-quality dried fruits and nuts, especially apricots. Major varieties include “Golden Sun,” “Katy,” “Badou Apricot,” and “Hongfeng…” More about Zhuangli Township++

Further Reading:

· Eighth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units