Since 2023, the Henan institute has been conducting archaeological excavations at the site. Its latest research has confirmed that it was a moat-encircled settlement that covered an area of 65,000 square meters, with distinct functional zones located within its boundaries.
“In the central burial area, we have identified a total of over 200 tombs, among which 10 show evidence of wooden coffins,” said Li Jindou, excavation field director at the Jiahu site. Some of the coffins measured about 2 metres in length, 0.6 metres in width and 0.06 meters in thickness, Li noted.
“Soil analysis from their burial context revealed a significantly high concentration of lignin compared to the surrounding areas,” Li said.
According to the institute, the vast majority of tombs in the site’s central burial area contain funerary objects, including bone flutes, turquoise artifacts and pottery, some of which exhibit exceptionally fine craftsmanship.
In addition to the wooden coffins, archaeologists have recently uncovered over 20 bone flutes, with one tomb being the first-known instance of five flutes buried in a single grave.
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 