Whether Greece, Germany or China: archaeologists continue to make great discoveries. An ancient Greek hero containing a dazzling treasure was recently discovered, while in Frankfurt a discovery is rewriting the history of Christianity. An amulet from 1,800 years ago indicates that devotion to Christianity began several years earlier, around 275 AD

Another discovery was made in China, this time at the Wangzhuang ruins in the city of Yongcheng. Several graves were found, but they weren’t just any graves, they had connections to royalty. Due to its size and the items contained within, one particular tomb is said to have been a royal tomb.

Let’s take a closer look at the impressive artifacts that were recovered and why tensions may have arisen 5,000 years ago in prehistoric times.

A 5,000-year-old tomb was discovered in the ruins of Wangzhuang in China, but researchers discovered the prehistoric site had been tampered with

Thanks go to the Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Heritage and Archeology and Beijing-based Capital Normal University for conducting these groundbreaking excavations. Researchers may have unlocked one of the most important sites in prehistory. The tombs are associated with a prehistoric kingdom. Perhaps the most fascinating discovery of all was a particular tomb associated with a king.

The site is in the central Chinese province of Henan, the Wangzhuang ruins in the city of Yongcheng. The special grave in question covered more than 17 square meters, which was much larger than most of the period.

Zhu Guanghua, an associate professor at Capital Normal University, was impressed by the place. “The latest discovery suggests that the Wangzhuang Ruins are not an ordinary settlement, but rather the capital of a prehistoric kingdom.”

Accordingly China DailyThe grave measured 15 to 15 feet long and 12 to 12 feet wide and contained both external and internal coffins. The tombs contain over 350 artifacts. However, Zhu was surprised at what they didn’t find and how damaged the owner’s tomb was. The professor believes that the tomb may have been looted due to tensions at the time.

“The tomb owner’s remains were removed and many significant artifacts were looted. Most of the grave owner’s skeletal remains in the wooden coffin are missing, only a few toe bones remain.”

Zhu added: “Small jade ornaments were scattered inside and outside the coffin and many ceremonial stone blades were intentionally broken.”

Research is currently underway to determine the reason for the destruction of the prehistoric tomb. It is believed that the damage occurred shortly after the burial.

What was found in the graves?

The 350 items include:

• More than 100 ceramic pieces,
• Almost 200 small jade ornaments,
• Bone tools and
• Animal remains (pig jaws symbolize wealth)

This year, 45 tombs have already been uncovered in the Wangzhuang ruins site. Some of the graves appear to be of higher status.

In total, over 1,000 artifacts were recovered. Liu Haiwang, head of the joint archaeological team, believes the artifacts show a high level of productivity from prehistory.

“The exquisite pottery, stone tools and jade artifacts vividly illustrate the division of labor and productivity levels of the period,” Liu says. “The wealth of grave goods is closely related to the size of the graves, suggesting that a clear social hierarchy and class stratification had already emerged.”

Archaeologists believe the discovery connected multiple cultures

China Daily notes that the discovery that most excites archaeologists is the fact that the artifacts found in the excavation connect different cultures. That is, there was some kind of collaboration many years ago.

Li

Differences in burials:

• Influence of Eastern Dawenkou Culture: Water deer teeth buried together with the occipital bone of a body, deformed.
• Influence of Yangshao culture: Small-mouthed glasses with a pointed bottom and small-mouthed shoulder glasses (linking the Dawenkou and Yangshao traditions).

Xinwei notes that the site offers a lot of excitement and demonstrates the “cultural fusion” between different regions.

“His discoveries testify to the initial exchanges of early Chinese civilization and demonstrate the nature of diversity,” says Li. “This site provides important examples for studying the cultural fusion of different prehistoric regions.”

We can expect more data on the important site as research is still ongoing.