The
Neolithic Site at Gaochengdun in
Jiangyin, Jiangsu Province
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This
is a large-scale high terrace graveyard of the Liangshu Culture,
with rigorous layout and planning. An area of about 1,000 square
meters has been excavated. In 1999, a total of 13 large and middle-sized
tombs of the early and middle stages of the Liangshu Culture were
excavated and screened, from which a total of 155 pieces (sets)
of various kinds of jade articles, and stone and pottery wares were
unearthed. Within the cleared graveyard area of 400 square meters,
the tombs were distributed in the form of a herringbone facing the
northwest and northeast. The site is extensive. The No.13 tomb is
so far the largest ever found of the Liangshu Culture, and is one
of the best preserved. Its scale and burial objects may indicate
the high social position of the occupant. The few but high-quality
jade articles used as burial objects may symbolize another type
of funeral of the Liangshu Culture.
The southern part of Jiangsu Province where Gaochengdun is located
is a very important region on the Lake Taihu Culture rim. The discovery
of the site shows that the position of the southern part of Jiangsu
in the Liangshu Culture cannot be neglected. It may represent another
center similar to the important position of the Lingzheng and Shanghai
Fuquanshan areas.
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