Xian – SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR)

This file photo shows ancient stone fortresses in Yulin, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (Photo by cultural heritage and archaeology team of the city of Yulin/Xinhua)

China: Survey Team Discovers 573 Ancient Stone Fortresses in North-West! (13.11.2025)

13/11/2025 Adrian (釋大道)

The survey revealed that these settlements spanned from about 2800 BC in the late Yangshao period to around 1000 BC in the Shang and Zhou (1046-221 BC) dynasties.

Mostly distributed along riverbanks, the stone fortresses were surrounded by numerous ordinary settlements without defensive stone walls, indicating a clear clustered relationship, said Ma Mingzhi, head of the team.

The development of these stone fortresses shows a clear evolution from small to large in scale, from simple to complex in layout, and from rudimentary to mature in construction techniques — with social hierarchy becoming increasingly distinct.

The survey provides crucial information for a comprehensive understanding of the origin, development, spread and evolution of prehistoric settlements in northern China, Ma added.

Karl Marx Reborn in China…

25/01/2017 Adrian (釋大道)

When the police officer explained (in English) what was happening, this distinguished gentleman smiled and said that he was an American of 61 years old, and a great admirer of Chinese culture and history.

Japanese Buddhist Monk Apologises to a Grateful Chinese People

03/07/2016 Adrian (釋大道)

If Japan apologised to the Chinese people and strove to make amends for their war-crimes, the world would be a better place.

The Mysterious Stone Tablets of Ancient China

18/02/2013 Adrian (釋大道)

Within Chinese texts the Dropa Stones story is referred to as ‘杜立巴神秘石’ which in modern pinyin is written as ‘Du Li Ba Shen Mi Shi’ – with ‘Dropa’ of the conventional transliteration equating to ‘Du-li-ba’ (杜立巴). The terms ‘Shen Mi’ (神秘) literally translate as ‘spirit’ and ‘secret’, and when used together implies a ‘profound mystery’ originating beyond the material world. The character ‘Shi’ (石) simply translates as ‘stone’, but can be used to refer to stone tablets. Therefore the Chinese title ‘杜立巴神秘石’ (Du Li Ba Shen Mi) refers to mysterious stone tablets associated with the Du-li-ba (Dropa) people, despite the fact that the Du-li-ba people had allegedly been responsible for the killing of the aliens who had apparently created the stone discs. The other connection with the Du-li-ba is that the aliens who survived the killing might have interbred with the Du-li-ba There appears to have been an expedition in 1938, but the details and consequences of that expedition have remained uncertain and obscure ever since. and that their genetic distinctiveness passed on as a consequence.