China’s top six archaeological discoveries in 2014 were listed at the “New Archaeological Discoveries in China 2014” forum on January 9 in Beijing. Wang Wei, director of the Institute of Archaeology (IA) at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), announced the six most important archaeological discoveries: the Mazongshan Jade Quarry in Subei County, Gansu Province; the Dabona Cemetery in Xiangyun County, Yunnan Province; the Gurujiamu and Quta cemeteries in Ngari Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region; the Northern Dynasty (386-589) Mural Tomb at Jiuyuangang in Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province; the Gangga Cemetery in Chen Barag Banner, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region; and the cemetery of Bozhou Chieftain Yang’s family in Zunyi City, Guizhou Province.

The six discoveries were chosen after rounds of strict selection from more than 40 entries recommended by archaeological institutions in 25 Chinese provinces and regions.

The Mazongshan Jade Quarry in Subei County, Gansu Province consists of the Jingbao’er Meadow and the Hanyaozi Meadow. So far, 400 artifacts have been identified in quarry pits, mines, look-out posts and piles of raw stone. Jade relics, pottery, bronze, iron objects, stone tools, gold and tiles were also unearthed. The Jingbao’er Meadow is estimated to date back to between the Warring States Period (475-221 BC) and Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), and possibly contains relics of the Siba Culture (1500-1300 BC).

The Dabona Cemetery also dates back to between the Warring States Period and Western Han Dynasty. Its excavation featured the use of unmanned aerial vehicle photography and three-dimensional laser scanners. Six large burial sites were found, along with more than 280 sets of artifacts made of bronze, iron, tin, ceramic, stone and wood. Many people were found to be reburied together in wooden coffins, marking the first discovery of this kind in Yunnan.

At the Gurujiamu Cemetery in Ngari Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region, eight Xang Xung Period (4th Century BC-AD 7th Century) burial sites and three Tibetan Period (618-842) burial sites were unearthed. The Quta Cemetery stored five hole-like burial sites dating to 1,800 BP, in which cabinet-type wooden coffins, golden masks, silk fabrics, silverware, pottery, bronze, iron objects and wood were uncovered. Markedly, an exquisite Tibet bead (corroded agate bead) was spotted in a burial site, the first such discovery in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

The Northern Dynasty Mural Tomb at Jiuyuangang dates back to between the Eastern Wei Dynasty (534-550) and early Northern Qi Dynasty (550-577). Its occupant might have been an important member of the Gao royal family of the Northern Qi Dynasty. Items in the tomb include terracotta relics, iron coffin nails, pottery and porcelain remains. Evacuated murals from the passage and chamber are more than 240 square meters. One of the murals is the largest-ever hunting picture found in China, which vividly represents the scene of ethnic groups in the Northern Dynasty “conducting military training through hunting.” The find is of great significance to Northern Dynasty military studies. The timber architecture mural in the north of the passage was the first discovery in concurrently-evacuated burials.

The Ganga Cemetery discovered at Chen Barag Banner, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, is the largest of its kind known on Hulunbuir Pasture Land. Eighty-six burial sites have been verified with single-log coffins as the main offerings alongside rich burial objects. It is regarded as the most important archaeological discovery on Hulunbuir Pasture Land in the 21st century. Based on the shape and structure of coffins, funeral customs, features of burial objects and documentary records, the cemetery is believed to belong to the Shiwei people, ancestors of the Mongolians, and date back to between the 8th century and 10th century.

Three new tombs have been unearthed at the cemetery of Bozhou Chieftain Yang’s family after two years of massive evacuations. Scholars claimed that this is the only comprehensively evacuated cemetery belonging to the Bozhou Chieftain Yang’s family as characterized by its clear layout and explicit relationships among the entombed deceased. The tombs date back to between the late Song (960-1279) and late Ming (1368-1644) dynasties, and provide fresh data for archaeological research on the chieftain system during this time.

Since its inception in 2002, the forum has become one of the most important platforms to annually exhibit archaeological discoveries in China. The 2014 session was sponsored by CASS and organized by IA and Archaeology Press.

The Chinese version appeared in Chinese Social Sciences Today, No. 691, January 12, 2014.

Translated by Chen Mirong

　　Revised by Tom Fearon