Yuyao Shi'ao Site
Shortlisted as One of
China's Top 10 New
Archaeological Discoveries
By Dong Na
On February 8, the preliminary round of selections for 2021's top 10 new archaeological discoveries was launched. In 2021, more than 1,700 archaeological digs were approved in China. The candidate excavations were reviewed by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, which produced a short list of 32 candidates, including the Yuyao Shi'ao Site.
The initial excavation at Shi'ao, spanning 900,000 m^2, revealed ancient rice fields farmed by residents of the Hemudu culture and Liangzhu culture.
The expansive paddy remains date back to 4,500-6,700 years ago. Due to the excavation area's limited size, only small patches of rice fields, ridges, and ditches from the Hemudu culture were found. The subsequent Liangzhu culture produced more sophisticated paddies: a grid-shaped network of roads formed by ridges separating the paddies and an irrigation system consisting of rivers, canals and drainage outlets were found. Four plots, with an area of 750, 700, 1,900, and 1,300 m^2 respectively, were identified.
The remains of rice spikelets, glume husks and common rice-field weeds were unearthed. The density of phytolith at Shi'ao is much higher than the standard for identifying prehistoric rice fields.
The ancient rice field of Shi'ao Site is the largest and oldest rice field ever found in the world, with the most indicative archaeological evidence. The excavation reveals that the Liangzhu culture was able to construct advanced road networks and irrigation systems. Such types of rice fields may have first appeared over 6,500 years ago and was continuously refined throughout the millennia.
The Shi'ao discovery proves that rice farming was an important economic support for the social development of the Hemudu culture and Liangzhu culture, and further deepens the understanding of prehistoric socioeconomic development and civilization advancement in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River.
Chief Adviser: Zhao Qingchuan
Proofreader: Xu Zhuowei