The Xiyin Village Site

　　   The 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 to the northwest near the Mingshigang Ridge and close to the Sushui River, and to the southeast it borders the Zhongtiao Mountain across the Qinglong River. It is a Neolithic site covering an area of about 300,000 square meters.

　　   It was discovered and first excavated in 1926 by Mr. Li Ji, marking the first time Chinese scholars independently conducted a field archaeological project—an event of epoch-making significance. A second excavation took place in 1994. The cultural remains found here belong to the Yangshao Miaodigou culture, the Xiwangcun Phase III culture, the Miaodigou Phase II culture, the Sanliqiao type culture, and the Shang Dynasty Erligang culture, with the Miaodigou type and Miaodigou Phase II cultures being the most abundantly represented.

　　   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 types of vessels include cauldrons, hearths, sand-tempered jars, pointed-bottom bottles, straight-mouthed or everted-rim bowls, everted-rim urns, jars, and painted pottery jars.

　　   Remains of the Miaodigou Phase II culture include circular semi-subterranean house foundations and ash pits of various shapes. Pottery makes up the majority of the artifacts. Main items include sand-tempered urns, jars, flared-rim jars, cauldron-hearths, double-handled pots, high-necked bottles, bowls, plates, and vessel lids. Other finds include stone knives and adzes.