Prehistoric tombs discovered in China, revealing possible ancient kingdom

Experts suggest the site could have been the capital of a prehistoric kingdom from the Neolithic Dawenkou Culture.

Archaeologists have uncovered a new range of tombs at the Wangzhuang ruins in central China's Henan Province, with one discovery sparking particular excitement: tomb M27. This tomb is believed to have belonged to a prehistoric king, based on its size, the coffins found inside, and the wealth of burial artifacts. The find suggests that the site may have been the capital of an ancient kingdom from the Neolithic Dawenkou Culture, which flourished from around 4000 B.C. to 2600 B.C.

“The latest discovery indicates that the Wangzhuang ruins are not an ordinary settlement, but rather the capital of a prehistoric kingdom,” said Zhu Guanghua, an associate professor at Capital Normal University and the lead archaeologist on the excavation. His comments were reported by China Daily.

Tomb M27, which measures approximately 15 feet in length and 12 feet in width, is one of the largest tombs from this period. The wooden coffin inside is particularly notable, with both the inner and outer vessels measuring around 182 square feet. Inside the tomb, archaeologists found roughly 350 burial artifacts, including nearly 200 jade ornaments, bone tools, animal remains, and 100 pieces of pottery. The discovery of pig mandibles—common animal bones in the tomb—points to the wealth of the tomb's owner.

Experts now believe the site holds broader significance for understanding early Chinese civilisation. “Its discoveries testify to the initial exchanges of early Chinese civilisation, providing evidence for the nature of diversity within Chinese civilisation,” said Li Zinwei, deputy director at the Institute of Ancient History at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. He added that the site is crucial for studying cultural fusion across different prehistoric regions of China.

In addition to the wide range of artefacts that trace the early trade and cultural exchanges within China and the Yangtze River basin, the site also contained items pointing to local rituals. These included the burial of a water deer’s teeth and small-mouthed jars. Archaeology Magazine has noted that the Dawenkou Culture is renowned for its advancements in pottery production and its influence on the ritual practices of later Chinese dynasties.

Zhu Guanghua further suggested that the tomb may have been damaged soon after its construction, possibly due to rival factions. The remains of the tomb’s occupant were largely removed, with only toe bones remaining, and ceremonial objects were intentionally broken. This damage could point to an act of defiance from those who opposed the tomb’s owner.

While M27 stands out as the most prominent find, archaeologists also unearthed 45 other tombs from the Dawenkou Culture. Archaeologist Liu Haiwang explained, “The exquisite pottery, stone tools, and jade artifacts vividly demonstrate the division of labour and the level of productivity at the time.” He added, “The richness of the burial objects is closely linked to the size of the tombs, indicating that a clear social hierarchy and class stratification had already emerged in this prehistoric society.”

This discovery provides new insights into the complex society that existed in ancient China, shedding light on early political, social, and cultural developments.