By Yuling Chen, EDITOR

The site of Shita Dahekou Ruins is located by the Yangtze River on the southwest side. It is on the second terrace of Group 6, Zhusha Village, Yihe Town, Fuling District. It also faces Linshi Town across the river. Yihe Town is at its northeast side, about ten kilometers away.

Stoneware excavated from Shita Dahekou Ruins in Fuling District

People found rich historical remains here in the Neolithic Period, and the research achievement is considerable. Besides, it is one of the most important discoveries of Neolithic culture in Chongqing in recent years. Moreover, it is of great significance in the final archaeological research of the Riparian Zone.

A joint effort of local cultural heritage research institute and university

In 2018, Chongqing Cultural Heritage Research Institute and Social Work College of Chongqing Normal University cooperated. They worked with Fuling Museum in the salvage excavation on this site and found profound remains of the Neolithic period. The unearthed relics include pottery fragments, stoneware, bone tools, animal bones, etc. Most potteries are of flat bottom, and some are of ring foot or ogival base. The types cover high-necked and flared-mouth pot, dish-shaped-mouth pot, thin-belly pot, bulge-belly pot, jar with the pattern-decorated mouth, and round-foot ware. There are also bowls, cups, bean plates, spinning wheels, etc. The ancient people had polished the stoneware in a large number, and some have luster on the whole body. And some have shining cutting parts and two sides. The workmanship is delicate.

The production methods include forging, grinding, drilling hole, carving, etc. The stoneware is relatively small. Moreover, the ware shapes are adze, ax, knife, chisel, spear, arrowhead, net sinker, and others alike. The bone tools include bone needle and scraper.

As for the cultural content, the relic belongs to Yuxiping culture (5,300 to 4,600 years before). It is a significant discovery of Neolithic culture for Chongqing in recent years, providing valuable physical materials. The discoveries will not only help to research human activities at that time. They also boast reference values for completing the prehistoric culture pedigree of the three gorges area.

Source: CQCB

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