The unearthed artifacts in the Xiaoxiongshan site in Lishui, Zhejiang province. [Photo/WeChat ID: wxlishui]

Ten significant archaeological sites in Zhejiang province were selected as the province's new discoveries of 2024 on March 1, with two significant sites in Lishui highlighted.

The Xiaoxiongshan site, located in Qingyuan county, Lishui, sits at an elevation of about 300 meters. Dating back approximately 4,500 years, this site is the first pre-Qin (before 221 BC) site discovered in the county. It offers valuable insights into the early civilizations of the Minjiang River basin.

Notably, the Xiaoxiongshan site is the southernmost known Haochuan ancient culture ruins. It contains both residential areas and cemeteries, a rare find in the Haochuan culture. The excavations suggest it was once a central settlement of Haochuan culture.

An aerial view of the Xianshengwan site in Lishui, Zhejiang province. [Photo/WeChat ID: wxlishui]

The Xianshengwan site in Yunhe county is another central settlement of Haochuan culture. Spanning from the late Neolithic culture to the Longshan culture, it covers an area of 130,000 square meters and dates back 3,800 to 5,000 years.

Initial excavations in 2022 on the west slope revealed five Haochuan and pre-Haochuan graves along with 1,842 stone artifacts.

The northern excavation area uncovered unique residential and burial sites from the Haochuan culture and late Neolithic period, while the southern area was identified as an elite burial site of Haochuan culture, with 53 graves showing clear hierarchical distinctions.