Caiyuan Neolithic Cultural Site

Caiyuan New Period Cultural Site

The Caiyuan New Period Cultural Site is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Caiyuan Neolithic Cultural Site is located on the slopes of the western, southern, and eastern ridges of Caiyuan Natural Village in Xi’an Town, Haiyuan County. It covers an area of 41,250 square meters. The village is situated at the foot of Nanhua Mountain, bordered by Lingguang Temple to the south and Yehupo Village in Haicheng Town to the east.

In 1984, during a comprehensive cultural relics survey across Ningxia, the Caiyuan Neolithic Cultural Site was discovered. In May 1985, the Ningxia Institute of Archaeology conducted trial excavations on parts of the site. In the autumn, systematic and scientific excavations were carried out on both the settlement and burial areas. From 1986 to the end of 1988, the National Museum of Chinese History, the Department of Archaeology at Peking University, and the Ningxia Institute of Archaeology jointly carried out archaeological excavations. Over the course of four consecutive years of excavation work, 297 test pits were laid out, covering a total area of 6,921 square meters. A total of 138 tombs, 15 house foundations, 65 storage pits and ash pits, 1 kiln site, and 1 ash ditch were unearthed, along with more than 5,000 intact or identifiable artifacts. These mainly include production tools, household utensils, and other ornaments made of stone, pottery, bone, and jade. The cultural remains reveal that the main body of the Qijia Culture evolved from the “Caiyuan Remains,” representing an independent and indigenous ancient culture with three defining elements: temporal boundaries, spatial range, and a unique collection of material artifacts. The Caiyuan Site dates back 5,000 years and served as a dwelling, breeding, productive labor, and burial ground for ancient humans, existing during the transitional period from matrilineal to patrilineal clans. Within a vast area spanning hundreds of miles across southern Ningxia and eastern Gansu—even with the geographical barrier of the Liupan Mountains—the ancient inhabitants of river basins such as the Qingshui River, Hulu River, and Jing River maintained frequent exchanges and jointly created a distinctive regional primitive culture. The Caiyuan Site is a typical representation of this culture.

The Caiyuan New Period Cultural Site is now a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.