5000-year-old Tomb Could Belong to First Chinese King

A magnificent and massive tomb belonging to an early Chinese king, likely from a ‘complex society’ and dated to 5,000-years-ago, has been unearthed at the Wangzhuang ruins in Yongcheng, Henan province, central China. It seems that the grave was the final resting place of a king from a prehistoric society, further supported by the discovery of over 350 artifacts at the site so far.

Not A Regular Settlement: Capital of a Prehistoric Kingdom

Researchers, in fact, believe that this discovery indicates that the Wangzhuang ruins were likely the capital of a prehistoric kingdom, not just a regular settlement. This theory was supported by Zhu Guanghua, an associate professor at Capital Normal University, reports South China Morning Post.

The tomb itself measures between 4.52 and 4.8 meters (15 to 15.5 feet) in length and 3.47 to 3.68 meters (11.5 to 12 feet) in width, featuring both an inner and outer coffin. Despite the damage sustained, the tomb contains a wealth of burial items: over 100 pieces of pottery, nearly 200 small jade ornaments, bone tools, and animal remains, including pig mandibles (a signifier of wealth), have been found within.

A huge array of incredibly ancient artifacts filled the tomb. (Courtesy of Zhu Guanghua)

“The newly discovered tomb might belong to a ruler of this kind of complex society in western Henan. In Chinese archaeology, we call the early complex societies around
5,000 bp (before present) archaic states. It’s among the biggest tombs in that period with abundant offerings, including more than 200 ceramic vessels for feasting and jade jewelry. The ceramic vessels show elements from eastern, southern and western regions, indicating intensive interaction with other complex societies,” Li Xinwei, Professor of the Institute of Archaeology at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told Newsweek.

The tomb had also been subjected to severe damage at some point in the past. The remains of the tomb’s owner had been removed, and many of the most significant artifacts were looted. Only a few bones from the owner, specifically toe bones, were left in the wooden coffin!

Scattered jade ornaments found both inside and outside the coffin, with several stone ceremonial blades that had been deliberately broken, point to some kind of ritualistic practices or vandalism by looters.

An undated file photo shows an ivory artifact unearthed from a tomb in China’s Henan province. Archaeologists believe the tomb may be that of a prehistoric king. (Xinhua)

Excavations at the Wangzhuang site have been ongoing since 2023, carried out by a team from the Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Heritage and Archaeology, Capital Normal University in Beijing, and other institutions. The richness of the burial objects points to a well-defined social hierarchy and class stratification during this period.

Dawenkou Culture Period: A Late Neolithic Culture

The discovered tomb is one of the largest and most artifact-rich tombs ever found from the Dawenkou culture period (4000 BC-2600 BC), according to a report by Xinhua News Agency. This culture, which flourished during the late Neolithic Age, is represented at the Wangzhuang ruins, which belong to its middle and later periods.

The Dawenkou culture was known for its diverse subsistence strategies, which varied by region, reflecting the adaptability of its people to different environments. However, pottery production stood out as the most important craft during this time. Significant advancements in pottery-making were seen throughout the Dawenkou period, including the invention of the fast pottery wheel and improved techniques for controlling the firing process.

These innovations contributed to the distinctive and highly sophisticated ceramics that became characteristic of the culture, making pottery one of the key markers of social and cultural development during this era.

A Potpourri, A Melting of Various Cultures

Artifacts recovered from the Wangzhuang site point to the area being a cultural melting pot in ancient times. The influence of various cultures is evident: there are elements from the eastern region, central China, and even the Yangtze River basin found among the relics.

“The Wangzhuang site is a melting pot of multicultural exchanges, influenced by the cultures of China’s eastern region and central region as well as the Yangtze River basin, while developing its own unique features,” said Li, as quoted by Global Times.

Researchers believe the site holds great significance not only for Chinese history but also for understanding early human civilization more broadly.

Top image: 5,000 year old tomb unearthed at the Wangzhuang ruins in Yongcheng, Henan province, central China.   Source: Courtesy of Zhu Guanghua

By Sahir Pandey