Wanquan Village Site

Wanquan Village Site

The Wanquan Village Site is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Shanxi Province.

Wanquan Village Site (Fifth Batch of Provincial-Level Protected Sites)

Era: Neolithic Age, Han Dynasty

Location: About 300 meters southwest of Wanquan Village, Huayuantun Township, Xinrong District, Datong City, on the cliff along the western bank of Wanquan River

The site is located on the eastern side of the foothills of Xisiliang Mountain, covering an area approximately 440 meters east-west and 660 meters north-south, with a total distribution area of about 290,000 square meters. Originally named Xicun Site, the area was called "Xicun" before 2001 and is now known as "Wanquan Village," hence the renaming to "Wanquan Village Site."

A wealth of artifacts is exposed on the surface of the site, including pottery shards, featuring cultural characteristics from both the Neolithic Age and the Han Dynasty. On the cliff edge at the eastern perimeter of the site, one Neolithic tomb and two Neolithic cultural layers have been discovered. Surface-collected artifacts include Neolithic period sandy red pottery, sandy gray pottery, clay gray pottery, as well as two stone axes, and Han Dynasty clay gray pottery. Neolithic decorative patterns include basket weave, cord marks, and interlaced cord marks, with identifiable vessel types such as jars, dou (tripod dings), and zeng (steamer). Han Dynasty clay gray pottery features decorations such as tile impressions and cord marks, with identifiable vessel types such as flared-rim basins and jars.

The site has a relatively large distribution area and abundant surface artifacts. Among the few Neolithic sites discovered in northern Shanxi, it holds certain representativeness and is of significant importance for clarifying the cultural features of the Neolithic period in the region.

In 2016, the Wanquan Village Site was included in the Fifth Batch of Provincial-Level Cultural Heritage Protected Sites in Shanxi Province.

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Provincial-Level Cultural Heritage Protected Sites in Shanxi Province