Caomao Mountain Ruins

Caomao Mountain Ruins

Caomao Mountain Ruins is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Era: Neolithic

Caomao Mountain Ruins, located on the back ridge of Caomao Mountain, one kilometer north of Sijiazi Town in Ao Han Banner, Chifeng City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, is a Neolithic site. Along the approximately 2.5-kilometer-long north-south mountain ridge, there are three Hongshan culture cairn tombs. In 2001, cultural relics authorities carried out clearance and excavation work. The cemetery covers an area of 600 square meters, and the stone constructions are very regular. The architectural style features a front altar and rear tomb, built with meticulously cut square megaliths. The altar consists of neatly arranged layers—some square, some round—forming three terraces, dating back about 5,500 years. It is considered by academia to be one of the earliest surviving above-ground structures in China, and is regarded as China’s earliest “pyramid.” The jade bi discs unearthed here are the clearest examples of square jade artifacts from the Hongshan culture to date. Also unique to the Hongshan culture are the incised symbols such as the “rice character” and “cross” found on pottery. The Caomao Mountain Ruins hold significant academic value for the study of Hongshan culture burial customs, religious rituals, social structure, and the origins of Chinese civilization.

In May 2013, it was designated by the State Council as part of the seventh batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level.

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level