Xiyin Village Site

Xiyin Village Site

Xiyin Village Site is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Xiyin Village Site

Xiyin Village Site (Fourth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units)

Era: Neolithic Age

Address: Northwest of Xiyin Village, Weiguo Township, Xia County

The site lies northwest near the Suluh River across the Mingtiao Ridge and southeast adjacent to the Zhongtiao Mountain across the Qinglong River. It is a Neolithic site covering an area of approximately 300,000 square meters.

Discovered and first excavated in 1926 under the direction of Mr. Li Ji, this marked the first time Chinese archaeologists independently conducted a field excavation, which was of epoch-making significance. A second excavation took place in 1994. The site features remains from the Yangshao Miaodigou Culture, Xiwangcun Phase III Culture, Miaodigou Phase II Culture, Sanliqiao Type Culture, and the Shang Dynasty Erligang Culture, with the Miaodigou Type Culture and Miaodigou Phase II Culture remains being the most abundant.

Remains of the Yangshao Miaodigou Type Culture include semi-subterranean circular or rectangular house foundations and ash pits of various shapes. Artifacts unearthed consist of stone, bone, shell, and pottery items. Major vessel types include cauldrons, stoves, sand-tempered jars, pointed-bottom bottles, straight or everted-rim bowls, everted-rim jars, vats, and painted pottery jars.

Remains of the Miaodigou Phase II Culture include circular semi-subterranean house foundations and ash pits of various shapes. Artifacts are primarily pottery. Main items include sand-tempered jars, vats, flared-rim jars, cauldron-stoves, double-handled pots, high-necked bottles, bowls, plates, and vessel lids. Other artifacts include stone knives and adzes.

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units