Zhongmu Dazhai Site

Zhongmu Dazhai Site

The Zhongmu Dazhai Site is a protected cultural heritage site of Henan Province.

The Dazhai Site is located in the southern part of Zhongmu County and was discovered during the 1984 cultural relics survey. The site area is a raised, circular high platform, about 1 to 3 meters higher than the surrounding ground, with a cultural layer about 1.6 meters thick. The southern section of the site’s enclosure wall was damaged by land leveling, while the eastern, western, and northern walls are largely intact. The walls stand 0.8 to 4.8 meters higher than the ground outside the wall, and 0.2 to 1.5 meters higher than the ground inside; the earthen walls contain a large amount of cultural remains such as pottery shards, tiles, and animal bones. The surface of the site is scattered with numerous pottery fragments and red-fired earth blocks. Artifacts collected from the site include white-painted pottery shards, perforated tripod feet, and grooved tripod feet. Identifiable vessel types include painted pottery basins, red pottery bowls, and sandy gray pottery tripods, all dating to the Yangshao period. In addition, remnants of pottery artifacts from the Warring States Period such as dou (food containers) and hu (wine vessels) are also found scattered on the surface. Decorative patterns include rope patterns, combed patterns, grid patterns, and stripe patterns. Artifacts unearthed include deer bones, deer antlers, ancient coins, and bronze arrowheads.

The discovery of the Dazhai Site provides valuable materials for the study of ancient cultures in eastern Zhengzhou.

Fifth Batch of Key Cultural Relics Protection Units of Henan Province

Source: Zhengzhou Municipal Bureau of Cultural Relics

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Protected Cultural Heritage Sites of Henan Province