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.