Hong Shan

The Hongshan culture (simplified Chinese: 红山文化; traditional Chinese: 紅山文化; pinyin: Hóngshān Wénhuà) was a Neolithic culture in northeastern China. It is characterized by elaborate jade artifacts and evidence of early ritualistic practices. The culture flourished from approximately 4700 to 2900 BCE, predating and possibly influencing the later Longshan culture and the origins of Chinese civilization.

The Hongshan culture was centered in the area of the Liao River basin in present-day Liaoning, Hebei, and Inner Mongolia. Archaeological sites associated with the culture include ceremonial centers, residential areas, and cemeteries, indicating a complex social structure and a level of social stratification.

Key features of the Hongshan culture include:

• Jade Artifacts: Hongshan culture is renowned for its sophisticated jade carvings, including dragon-shaped pendants (jade dragons), cloud-shaped plaques, and other zoomorphic and geometric forms. These jade objects likely held symbolic and ritual significance.

• Goddess Temple: The Niuheliang site features a complex of structures including a "Goddess Temple," which contained fragments of life-sized clay figurines, suggesting the existence of a developed religious system with female deities.

• Burial Practices: Hongshan burials exhibit variations in grave goods and construction, indicating social hierarchies. Some burials contained numerous jade artifacts, while others were relatively simple.

• Agriculture and Subsistence: The Hongshan people practiced agriculture, cultivating millet and possibly other crops. They also relied on hunting and gathering to supplement their diet.

The Hongshan culture represents a significant stage in the development of Neolithic societies in China and contributes to our understanding of the cultural and social evolution leading to the Bronze Age and the emergence of state-level societies.