Shilipu Site in Shangcai

Shilipu Site in Shangcai

The Shilipu Site in Shangcai is a protected cultural heritage site of Henan Province.

The Shilipu Site is located 500 meters south of Shilipu Village, Shaodian Town, approximately 5 kilometers south of Shangcai County. The site stands 4 meters high, with a collapsed wall on the southern side. It has a rectangular layout, measuring 550 meters from east to west and 200 meters from north to south, covering nearly 110,000 square meters, and is relatively well-preserved. In 1986, the Shilipu Site was approved by the People's Government of Henan Province as a protected cultural heritage site of Henan Province.

In May 1977, a trial excavation was conducted at the Shilipu Site, during which three test pits were dug. Artifacts unearthed included house foundations, stone tools, pottery, bone implements, and tombs, providing substantial material for the study of the Longshan Culture in Henan. The excavation revealed that the houses were mostly round, though some were square, all located on the southern slope of the site’s ridge, with doors facing south toward the sun—indicating that people at the time generally preferred sunlight. A large number of pottery items used for storing grain and brewing alcohol were also found. The abundance of animal bones suggested that, besides farming, the inhabitants engaged in fishing, hunting, and animal husbandry. Among the bones, deer bones were relatively common, indicating that deer were frequently hunted, which also points to a subtropical climate in the Shangcai area at the time. The pottery was primarily gray or black earthenware, with some polished black pottery. Decorative patterns included cord marks, striations, checkerboard patterns, net patterns, appliqué, and string patterns. Stone tools unearthed included axes, sickles, chisels, adzes, shovels, and knives—tools used in early agricultural production. These were first roughly shaped by striking and then finely polished, demonstrating remarkable craftsmanship and reflecting advancements in agricultural technology.

The Shilipu Site features thick layers of cultural deposits, with a large number of pottery and stone artifacts unearthed. These findings reflect the production, living conditions, and economic and cultural development of ancient people in primitive society, show early signs of class differentiation, and hold significant academic research value.

Shilipu Village: Shilipu Village...... More detailed information about Shilipu Village++

Further Reading:

· Second Batch of Protected Cultural Heritage Sites of Henan Province