Banpo (Yangshao Neolithic Site): In Focus

Summary

The Banpo Museum in Xi'an, China, showcases a significant Neolithic site dating back to 5000-3000 BC. Excavations from 1953 to 1957 revealed over 10,000 artifacts, including stone tools and pottery, suggesting a matrilineal society. The site features sunken, circular dwellings, kilns for pottery, and evidence of farming millet. The discovery challenges modern interpretations of ancient societies and offers insights into early Neolithic life.

Takeaways

• 🏺 In 1953, the discovery of ancient artifacts at Banpo, near Xi'an, led to the first large-scale archaeological excavation in the People's Republic of China.
• 🏰 Banpo is a significant Neolithic site, dating back to the Yangshao culture, which flourished in the Yellow River Valley between 5000 and 3000 BC.
• 🛠️ Over 10,000 stone tools and artifacts were found, including jewelry and pottery, indicating advanced craftsmanship for the period.
• 🏠 The dwellings at Banpo were unique, featuring sunken, circular or ovoid structures with hard-baked clay floors and clay-based roofs.
• 🔥 The central feature of each house was a hearth, suggesting the importance of fire for cooking and warmth.
• 🎨 Pottery from Banpo was beautifully crafted, with some pieces featuring painted motifs, although the idea of an early writing system based on these designs is considered unlikely.
• ⚰️ The archaeological findings at Banpo suggest a matrilineal society, with women having more grave goods and potentially holding more power.
• 🌾 The inhabitants of Banpo were early farmers, cultivating millet, which is still a staple in many parts of Asia and Africa today.
• 🐷 Evidence of domesticated animals like dogs and pigs, along with stone tools, points to a mixed economy that included both farming and hunting.
• 👗 Textile production is indicated by the presence of woven cloth impressions and needles, showcasing the diversity of crafts practiced at Banpo.
• ⏳ The site was eventually abandoned around 3000-750 BC, possibly due to flooding, and was rediscovered in the 20th century during a period of political change in China.

Q & A

Where is the Banpo Museum located?

The Banpo Museum is located in the suburbs to the east of the city of Xi'an, which is the capital of Shaanxi province in China.

What significant discovery was made during the construction of a factory at Banpo in 1953?

During the construction of a factory in 1953, builders discovered human remains and ancient pottery, which led to the identification of an archaeological site.

What was the significance of the Banpo archaeological site?

The Banpo archaeological site is one of the world's most significant Neolithic sites and was the first large-scale archaeological excavation of the People's Republic of China.

What cultural period does the Banpo site represent?

The Banpo site represents the Yangshao culture, a Neolithic culture that flourished in the Yellow River Valley between 5,000 and 3,000 BC.

What was the approximate time span of occupation at the Banpo site?

The site at Banpo was occupied between 4,500 and 3,750 BC.

How were the houses at Banpo constructed?

The houses at Banpo were dug to a depth of around one meter, with the excavated soil used to support the walls. The houses had a series of posts supported by stones in the middle and smaller posts forming the walls on the exterior. Most buildings were circular or ovoid with hard baked clay floors.

What type of pottery was produced at Banpo and how was it made?

The inhabitants of Banpo produced a range of beautiful pottery, including sharp-bottomed jars and vessels with painted motifs. The pottery was made without a potter's wheel, either formed directly by hand or using a series of clay coils.

What evidence suggests that Banpo might have been a matrilineal society?

The graves at Banpo, where women tended to have more grave goods such as pottery and jewelry than men, suggest that it might have been a matrilineal society with women potentially holding more power.

What was the dietary evidence found through the analysis of residues in the pottery at Banpo?

The dietary evidence found in the pottery at Banpo indicates that the Neolithic people were farming millet, which is still popular in Asia and Africa today.

What other activities besides farming were practiced by the people at Banpo?

In addition to farming, the people at Banpo also practiced hunting and possibly had domestic dogs and pigs. They went through phases of farming and non-farming, indicating a flexible lifestyle.

What evidence is there of cloth production at Banpo?

Evidence of cloth production at Banpo includes woven cloth pressed into the surface of some pottery and needles recovered from the site, although the exact method of weaving is not known.

Why was the Banpo site eventually abandoned?

Banpo was abandoned around 3,000 to 3,750 BC, possibly due to flooding, and was rediscovered much later during a new political era in China.

Outlines

00:00

🏺 Discovery of the Banpo Neolithic Site

The script begins with a journey to China's Shanxi province and the city of Shan, where the Banpo Museum is located. In 1953, during the construction of a factory, builders unearthed ancient human remains and pottery, leading to the identification of an archaeological site. This site was significant as it marked the first large-scale archaeological excavation in the People's Republic of China. Between 1953 and 1957, over 10,000 stone tools and artifacts were discovered, including jewelry and pottery. The site is recognized as a diagnostic type site for the Yangshao culture, a Neolithic culture that thrived in the Yellow River Valley between 5,000 and 3,000 BC. The dwellings at Banpo were circular or ovoid with hard-baked clay floors and were constructed with a unique method involving excavated soil and central posts. The site also featured a kiln area with six updraft kilns for pottery production, indicating the inhabitants' skill in pottery making.

05:02

🌾 Life and Society at Banpo

The script delves into the lifestyle and societal structure of the Banpo inhabitants. The graves at Banpo suggest a matrilineal society, with women having more grave goods such as pottery and jewelry. The burial practices differed between adults and children, with the latter being buried in pots within the village. The diet of the Neolithic people at Banpo included millet, which was cultivated by them, and they also engaged in animal husbandry with domestic dogs and pigs. The script mentions the possibility of experimental farming, as evidenced by the presence of stone sickles, adzes, and plows. The inhabitants also practiced cloth production, as suggested by the woven cloth impressions on pottery and the discovery of needles. The site was eventually abandoned around 3000-3500 BC, possibly due to flooding. The script concludes with a reflection on the importance of Banpo as a historical site, its significance in the context of Chinese archaeology, and the changing perspectives on its interpretation over time.

Keywords

💡Banpo Museum

The Banpo Museum is located in the suburbs east of the city of Xi'an, in Shaanxi province, China. It is the site of a significant Neolithic village that was discovered during the construction of a factory in 1953. The museum is dedicated to preserving and exhibiting the artifacts and findings from the Banpo archaeological site, which is a key location for understanding the Yangshao culture. The script mentions the museum as the starting point for the journey into the past, emphasizing its importance in Chinese archaeological history.

💡Yangshao Culture

The Yangshao culture refers to a Neolithic culture that flourished in the Yellow River Valley between 5,000 and 3,000 BC. It is characterized by distinctive pottery styles, agricultural practices, and unique social structures. The Banpo site is designated as a diagnostic type site for the Yangshao culture, making it a key reference point for studying this period. The script discusses the culture's influence on the architecture and lifestyle of the people living at Banpo.

💡Neolithic

The Neolithic period, also known as the New Stone Age, was a time in human history when the development of agriculture and the domestication of animals began. It is marked by the shift from a nomadic lifestyle to settled communities. The script describes the Banpo site as one of the world's most significant Neolithic sites, indicating its importance in the study of early human settlements and the development of civilization.

💡Matrilineal Society

A matrilineal society is one in which social organization and inheritance are traced through the female line. The script suggests that the Banpo site may have been part of a matrilineal society, as evidenced by the presence of more grave goods with female burials compared to male ones. This concept is significant as it challenges traditional views of early societies being predominantly patriarchal.

💡Pottery

Pottery refers to the art of making objects from clay that are then hardened by firing. The script describes the pottery found at Banpo as being of high quality, with some pieces being elegantly finished with painted motifs. The pottery is significant as it provides insight into the aesthetic sensibilities and technical skills of the Banpo inhabitants, as well as their daily life and practices.

💡Millet

Millet is a type of grain that was cultivated by the Neolithic people at Banpo. The script mentions that dietary evidence found in the form of residue in pottery indicates that millet was a staple crop for the inhabitants. This is significant as it provides information about the agricultural practices and dietary habits of the Yangshao culture.

💡Kiln

A kiln is a structure used for the high-temperature firing of ceramics. The script describes the kiln area at Banpo, which contained six updraft kilns used for the firing of ceramics. The presence of kilns is indicative of the organized and skilled production of pottery by the Banpo community.

💡Dwelling

The dwellings at Banpo were sunken, circular or ovoid structures with hard-baked clay floors and clay-based daub walls. The script provides a detailed description of the construction methods and the layout of these dwellings, which were a central feature of the Banpo settlement. Understanding the dwellings provides insight into the living conditions and architectural practices of the Neolithic people.

💡Megalithic Tombs

Megalithic tombs are large structures made of stones and earth, used for burial purposes. The script mentions the graves at Banpo, which were used to bury the dead and contained various grave goods. The analysis of these tombs provides valuable information about the social structure, beliefs, and customs of the Banpo society.

💡Archaeological Excavation

Archaeological excavation is the process of carefully uncovering and studying artifacts and structures from past civilizations. The script describes the large-scale excavations at Banpo between 1953 and 1957, which were the first of their kind in the People's Republic of China. These excavations are significant as they represent a major effort to understand and preserve China's prehistoric past.

💡Marxism

Marxism is a social, political, and economic theory that originated from the works of Karl Marx. The script notes that the initial archaeological interpretation of Banpo was influenced by Marxist ideology, emphasizing communal production and the absence of class distinctions. This highlights how historical and political contexts can shape the way archaeological findings are understood and presented.

Highlights

The discovery of the Banpo archaeological site in 1953 during the construction of a factory in Shaanxi, China.

Banpo being the first large-scale archaeological excavation of the People's Republic of China.

Over 10,000 stone tools and artifacts were uncovered at the Banpo site, including jewelry and pottery.

Banpo designated as a diagnostic type site for the Yangshao culture, a Neolithic culture that flourished between 5000 and 3000 BC.

The site was occupied between 4500 and 3700 BC, with houses constructed in a unique manner.

Houses at Banpo were circular or ovoid with hard baked clay floors and clay-based daub walls.

The presence of a central hearth in each dwelling, indicating the importance of fire in daily life.

The evolution of house shapes from circular to more square with rounded corners over time.

The kiln area contained six kilns for firing ceramics, showcasing the inhabitants' pottery skills.

The production of pottery with painted motifs, including animals, faces, and geometric designs.

The interpretation of Banpo as a potential matrilineal society based on the analysis of grave goods.

The dietary evidence found, indicating that the Neolithic people at Banpo were farming millet.

The presence of domestic dogs and pigs, suggesting incipient or experimental farming practices.

The discovery of woven cloth and needles, indicating cloth production at Banpo.

The abandonment of Banpo around 3000-3700 BC, possibly due to flooding.

The political and archaeological significance of Banpo during the early years of the People's Republic of China.

The ongoing reassessment of Banpo with less politically driven archaeological theories.

Banpo's status as one of the most visited historical sites in modern-day China.

The personal reflection on the significance of gender balance and partnership inspired by the study of Banpo.

Transcripts

[Music]

in today's InFocus we travel to China

and the city of Shan the capital of the

Shanxi province in the suburbs to the

east of the city is the banpo Museum in

1953 China embarked on a programme of

intensive agricultural and industrial

growth and it was here at banpo the

builders digging the foundations for a

factory uncovered something fascinating

human remains an ancient pottery were

coming out of the ground an

archaeological site was identified and

turned over to the Institute for

archaeological research and the banpo

digging gang became state hired

archaeologists this was the first

large-scale archaeological

of the People's Republic of China it was

also one of the world's most significant

neolithic sites and between 1953 and

1957 excavations proceeded archeologists

uncovered over 10,000 stone tools and

artifacts including jewelry and pottery

in various states of fragmentation banpo

would be designated a diagnostic type

site for the yangshao culture a

Neolithic culture which flourished in

the Yellow River Valley between 5,000

and 3,000 BC the site at banpo was

occupied between four thousand five

hundred and three thousand seven hundred

and fifty BC situated on a low River

Terrace the site was surrounded by an

enclosure ditch or moat the ditch was

around five meters wide and the site

itself covered an area of between five

and six hectares the houses and their

method of construction were of

particular interest each house was dug

to a depth of around one meter with the

excavated soil

used to support the walls in the middle

of the houses were a series of posts

supported by stones and around the

exterior a series of smaller posts

formed the walls most of the buildings

at banpo were circular or ovoid in shape

with hard baked clay floors the walls

were covered by a clay based dog and the

entire structure finished in essentially

a fat roof supported by the 1 to 6

central posts in the middle of the house

some dwellings had fetched porches and

inside would have been very cozy with

lots of storage space and of course in

the center of the house the main feature

being the fire home as ever

is where the hearth is the dwellings at

banpo remained relatively similar for

hundreds of years but later on they

became a little more square in shape

with rounded corners but for most of its

time banpo was a settlement of sunken

circular ish dwellings to the north east

of the site was a kiln area containing

six kilns for the firing of ceramics

these were simple but effective updraft

kilns which the people used to produce a

range of beautiful pottery for example

this so-called sharp bottomed dwara

bottle is as elegant as a Roman wine

amphora

some of the pottery was elegantly

finished with painted on motifs

including animals faces and geometric

designs some have attempted to infer an

alphabet of sorts a writing system based

on these geometric designs though in

truth this is highly unlikely note how

different clays produce different colors

of pottery and remember all of this was

done without a potter's wheel either

formed directly in the hand or using a

series of clay coils like this the

inhabitants of banpo were clearly

skilled potters

but beyond the kiln area further to the

northeast was the cemetery what

archaeologists discovered amongst the

burials at bampo led to arguably this

site's most infamous interpretation this

was potentially a matrilineal society it

is possible that the women were in

charge of the 250 graves excavated at

banpo women tended to have more than men

in the way of grave goods in the form of

pottery and jewelry and the grave

certainly did not speak of a male

chieftain or big man ie with more goods

or in a better position than others

adults were buried in rectangular grave

cuts facing east to west with the heads

pointing west children however it seems

were buried within the village in pots

just outside people's houses

anthropologically matrilineal societies

are well documented but in some corners

of the internet you will find that

people take the graves at banpo as

evidence of a way of life child rearing

and for example customs linked with

sexual partners that isn't entirely

justifiable from the evidence it is

undeniable though that these women were

certainly very powerful in their society

through residue found in the pottery the

graves also yielded dietary evidence

rather than something like einkorn these

Neolithic people were farming millet

today millet is popular in Asia and

Africa especially India Mali and Nigeria

not only is it edible but it can also be

used to brew an alcoholic beverage

called Tonga while there's no evidence

for alcohol per se stone sickles adzes

and plows have been found on site

evidence of farming activity animal

bones also point to domestic dogs and

pigs though the evidence also highlights

that this was likely incipient or

experimental farming just as with other

early Neolithic cultures the

people at banpo apparently went through

phases of farming and they're not

farming perhaps relying on hunting more

than farming and then back to farming

again a reminder that such a dramatic

lifestyle change as farming rarely

happens overnight and rarely just the

wants grain was stored in sealed pits

which quickly became oxygen less

discouraging microbial activity what

appears to be woven cloth has been

pressed into the surface of some pottery

along with needles recovered from the

site this is evidence of cloth

production though there was no evidence

for precisely how this cloth was woven

it was around 3000 750 BC when banpo was

finally abandoned and abandoned rather

quickly flooding may have been the cause

5700 years passed and the settlement was

rediscovered just as what is now China

was entering a new political era

remember this was the first large-scale

excavation and the People's Republic of

China and Marxism was the lens through

which archaeology was viewed in

particular emphasis was placed on the

communal production of material goods

and wealth all the kilns were in the

same place outside the village though on

other sites this might be interpreted as

a safety precaution keeping the fire

hazard away from the middle of the

settlement and though it was once

fashionable around the world modern

archaeologists rarely try to impose

modern political and economic systems on

past societies who simply hadn't heard

of capitalism or Marxism etc etc and so

banpo is a fascinating archaeological

site it is currently in the process of

being reassessed with a less politically

driven archaeological theory yet it is

one of the most visited historical sites

in modern-day China a very political

entity banpo is a type site for the

Yangzhou Neolithic yellow

Valley culture and yet this textbook

site was never fully excavated as a

European pre historian banpo is both

familiar and exotic a remarkable

specimen and reminder of a different

shade of Neolithic banpo also represents

one of the reasons I love archeology and

anthropology it potentially shows us

another way of living a different gender

balance and as a modern man and husband

I find myself grateful for the complex

nuanced and collaborative partnership I

share with the lovely mrs. soup