Archaeologists have uncovered over 100 jade artifacts from the late Hongshan culture in northern China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. This remarkable find took place in the city of Chifeng’s Aohan Banner, where a team from the Inner Mongolia Insтιтute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology has been conducting a four-month excavation, beginning in April 2024. The excavation focused on a stone burial mound, now recognized as the largest of its kind from the late Hongshan culture ever discovered in the region.

Hongshan Jade Dragon. Credit: Gary Todd

The Hongshan culture, dating back around 6,500 years, is a significant chapter in the Neolithic history of northern China. It flourished in the Liao River basin and is famous for its jade craftsmanship and ceremonial architecture, including the iconic jade “pig-dragon.” This culture represents one of the earliest instances of what scholars call the Jade Age in ancient China, and its religious and social practices centered around the symbolic power of jade.

According to Sun Jinsong, the director of the Inner Mongolia Insтιтute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, the excavation has not only unearthed a vast array of jade items but also revealed a unique burial and sacrificial site that combines architectural styles from both northern and southern China. “This is the largest stone burial mound from the late Hongshan culture ever found in Inner Mongolia. The variety of jade artifacts discovered fills important gaps in our understanding of this ancient civilization’s jade usage,” Sun noted during a press conference held on September 13, 2024.

Among the most extraordinary finds is the largest jade dragon ever discovered from the Hongshan culture. Measuring 15.8 cm in length, 9.5 cm in width, and 3 cm in thickness, this intricate artifact was found in a stone tomb that features a rare architectural layout: a circular tomb in the north and a square altar in the south. This layout, a first of its kind in the region, provides further evidence of the cultural and religious significance of the Hongshan people’s burial practices.

The jade artifacts unearthed include nearly all known types ᴀssociated with the Hongshan culture, ranging from ceremonial objects to practical tools. Some of these items share striking similarities with jade ornaments from the Lingjiatan culture, which flourished around the same time in eastern China, suggesting a broader cultural exchange between these ancient societies.

In addition to jade, the site has also revealed a variety of other artifacts, including painted pottery basins, tripod cups, and skeletal remains. The archaeological team also identified fire pits and cylindrical object pits, which may have played a role in the burial rituals of the Hongshan people.

The Hongshan culture, which reached the stage of ancient civilization approximately 5,800 years ago, is considered a key piece in the puzzle of Chinese civilization’s origins.