Prominent discoveries from Xiawanggang Site, Xichuan in 2008

   Shanxi Team of Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences started a formal excavation at Xiawanggang Site on October 7, 2008. The excavated area in the northern side is about 600m2 consist of six 10×10m2 grids, and 500 m2 in the southern side with five 10×10m2 grids. Until now, the total excavated area is around 1100㎡.

   At present, 212 ash pits, 9 burials, 13 urn burials, a kiln, 10 house foundations, and 5 ditches have been excavated. Among which one modern ditch has been identified together with 2 ash pits and a hardcore surface  and  there were two Ming burials and one Song dynasty burial, two brick tombs with decoration and 11 ash pits from Eastern Han period. Furthermore, 17 ash pits dated from early Western Zhou, 56 ash pits and 3 post holes dated from mid Western Zhou respectively and two ash pits from Shang-Zhou period, two ash pits from Erlitou IV, 11 ash pits from Erlitou II & III, 35 ash pits from Late Xinzhai Culture and Erlitou I together with 13 urn burials, 76 ash pits, 4 burials and one ditch dated from Longshan Culture, 10 house foundations and 3 small ditches from Late Yangshao Culture. Soil samples were collected in several huge ditches for flotation. Charcoal samples were also collected in certain important ash pits and ash pits with rich charcoal remains.

   For the moment, other than pottery sherds, there are more than 300 artifacts. which including stone axe, knife, chisel, sickle, adze, arrowhead, shovel, ball, net weight, pestle, cake shape artifact, raw halberd, elongated pointed tablet, bone awl, dagger, biao(dart), hair clasps, chisel, arrowhead, bone ornaments, oracle inscriptions, pottery spinning wheel, ring, slotted ring, paddle, net sinker, human head portrait, cup, bowl, small yi, pig figurine, as well as bronze pike, peeler, hairpin ornaments, iron knife, jade ring, huang, turquoise eardrop, celadon bowl, dish etc. Important animal bone remains including antler, soft-shelled turtle and tortoise.

The principle aim of the Xiawanggang site rescue excavation is to extract archaeological data. By using multipurpose approach, there are four sub categories for the study. 1. Development of micro settlement pattern of Xiawanggang site. 2. The interrelationship between Qujialing culture and Shijiahe culture in Xiawanggang site of the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers in terms of cultural exchange and as a transaction point. 3. Pedigree of the early Erlitou culture in Xiawanggang site, which is important and meaningful to solve the early Xia culture on the outskirt of Song Mountain. 4.  pedigree during the Western Zhou in Xiawanggang site, which is prominent to the study of early Chu Culture.
Translated by Li Langlin