A jade artifact in the shape of a dragon unveiled in Chifeng. [Photo/Grassland Media]

A news conference was held on Sept 13 in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region to announce the latest archaeological findings related to the Hongshan Culture.

Since April 2024, a team from the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology conducted a nearly four-month-long archaeological survey in Aohan Banner, Chifeng city.

The archaeological team uncovered a late Hongshan Culture stone mound in Aohan Banner, unearthing over 100 jade artifacts in a single excavation. This discovery marks the first instance of identifying a burial and sacrificial site that combines southern and northern Chinese architectural styles, revealing clear layout features and construction sequences.

According to Sun Jinsong, director of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, this is the largest late Hongshan Culture stone mound excavation in Inner Mongolia to date.

A pottery figurine from the Hongshan Culture period unveiled in Chifeng. [Photo/Grassland Media]

The unearthed jade artifacts encompass most types associated with Hongshan Culture and include items similar to jade crown ornaments from the Lingjiatan Culture. This discovery fills a significant gap in the archaeological study of Hongshan Culture jade artifacts in Inner Mongolia.

The Hongshan Culture, a neolithic culture in northern China, originated around 6,500 years ago and reached the stage of ancient civilization approximately 5,800 years ago. It is renowned for its jade artifacts and ceremonial architecture.

The formation, development, and transformation of the Hongshan Culture, along with its subsequent influence, are crucial components of the study of the origins of Chinese civilization. They offer significant insights into the formation and evolution of the diverse and unified Chinese civilization.

On Sept 22, the Chinese Archaeological Society will hold a symposium in Chifeng city titled "The Brilliant Stars of Chinese Civilization: 70th Anniversary of the Naming of Hongshan Culture". The newly discovered Hongshan Culture stone mound and over 100 jade artifacts will be unveiled to the public during the event.