Huangtianpu Stone Shed

Huangtianpu Stone Shed

The Huangtianpu Stone Shed is a cultural relic protection unit of Hunan Province.

The Huangtianpu Stone Shed is located at the entrance of the old street in Huangtianpu Town, Lingling District. It was built by stacking four large natural limestone rocks (one capstone and three wall stones). The top resembles a mountain peak, and the capstone has nine edges and nine smooth faces, all bearing traces of human processing. The capstone is 2.9 meters high and 3.4 meters thick, while the wall stones are 1.1–1.2 meters high and irregularly prism-shaped. The entire structure weighs about 10 tons. The entrance of the shed faces southwest, with both the front and rear openings connected. The interior is 1.5 meters wide, 3.4 meters deep, and 1.2 meters high, allowing people to pass through. There are grooves at the front and rear of the shed base, with a small stone embedded in the front groove, giving it a unique form. Research suggests that the stone shed is a relic from the Stone Age, dating back approximately 20,000 years, and is referred to by archaeologists as "Stone Culture." Scholars have varying opinions on the function of the stone shed: some say it was a dwelling cave for ancient humans; others believe it served as a stone-age tomb, similar in significance to Egypt's pyramids; some suggest it was a religious ceremonial structure; and others think it was a venue for various activities of ancient clans. The entire stone shed is built upon a natural rock terrace, reflecting the wisdom of the primitive people of Yongzhou in choosing their habitat.

The Huangtianpu Stone Shed is a site of open cave structures built by primitive humans in China’s Neolithic Age using massive natural stones. It holds significant research value for exploring the religion and ideology of primitive humans during the Neolithic Age.

In 2006, it was listed as a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit of Hunan Province.

Huangtianpu Town: "Located in the northwest of the district, 13 kilometers from the seat of the Lingling District People's Government. It borders Shishanjiao Township to the east, Shuzipu Township to the south, Zhushan Town to the west, and the border of Dong’an County to the north. The town government is stationed at Bailongjie Neighborhood Committee. It administers the following villages: Mingshanling, Futang, Yutang, Dingtang, Wulipai, Shuangpaipu, Chajiangqiao, Dengjiachong, Jianshan, Zhuguiling, Shuangjiangqiao, Huangtianpu, Qiuhua, Daheba, Xiaoshan, Yintang, Yongxing, Zhutang, Dazhushan, Tongmuqiao, Setangwei, Lutang, Shundi Temple, Guantangqian, Yilinsi, Shangtangfu, Niaotangpu, Bameitian, Laomiao, QinYandong, Shuikoumiao, Dao..." For more detailed information about Huangtianpu Town ++

Further Reading:

· Eighth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Hunan Province