Tombs at Neolithic burial site unearthed
Print Edition
Chinese archeologists have found a Neolithic stone burial site by a river bank on China and Russia’s border.
The Xiaonanshan ruins in Raohe County, in northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, are located on the Chinese side of the Wusuli River, known as Ussuri in Russia.
Archeologists have excavated more than 20 tombs and unearthed a trove of cultural relics — including jade, stoneware and pottery — from about 9,000 years ago, said the provincial institute of archeology.
The tombs were built with malmstone and basalt, said Li Youqian from the institute.
Basalt, a volcanic rock, could not be found in the surrounding area, which meant that ancient people transported it from other areas, said Li.
The tomb chambers are very small, some are less than 1 meter long and archeologists believe that the bodies were placed in the tomb on one side.
Li said some tombs had many burial artifacts, while others had none, suggesting different burial practices between the rich and poor.
Traces of powdered human bones were found in some tombs. Further study was needed to identify the burial customs and lifestyles of the ancient community, Li said.
The ruins were found at Xiaonanshan, a public park on a small hill, where residents enjoy views of the river and Russia on the far side.
Yang Yongcai, a local cultural official, said the river has abundant fish stock and the large areas of virgin forest would have provided sufficient food sources for early human settlers.
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