Xiaojin Site

Xiaojin Site

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

Era: Neolithic Age

The Xiaojin Site is situated on Houlong Mountain behind Xiaojin Village, 13 kilometers from the county seat of Ziyuan. Its discovery originated from a tip provided by local resident Jiang Jiaxiang. In the winter of 1997, it drew the attention of the Guangxi Cultural Relics Work Team, which identified it as an important Neolithic site. Under the attention of the national cultural relics management authorities, the regional cultural relics work team conducted three excavations of the Xiaojin Site: from October to November 1998, from October 1999 to January 2000, and from December 2001 to January 2002. These digs uncovered over 800 square meters, revealing a large number of stone tools, pottery shards, carbonized rice, fruit pits, as well as burial and architectural remains.

Most of the stone tools unearthed here are polished, including more than 20 types such as pendants, bracelets, balls, drills, saws, and whetstones. Pottery items include jars, cauldrons, bowls, plates, spinning wheels, vessel bases, and supports. Over 13,000 carbonized rice grains were also found.

Through analysis by relevant experts of the primitive cultural layers and unearthed artifacts, the Xiaojin ancient human site can be divided into at least two phases: the earlier phase likely belongs to the late Neolithic Age, while the later phase may extend to the Shang and Zhou dynasties. The cultural deposit layers in the southern area of the site consist of six strata, while the northern area has nine.

According to 14C dating conducted by the Karst Geology Research Institute of the Ministry of Geology and Mineral Resources, the unearthed ancient artifacts date back 3,000 to 6,000 years.

In May 2013, it was designated and announced by the State Council as part of the seventh batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units