The 5000 y/o Chinese Civilization that Connects the Past with the Present
Top FAQs Answered About Liangzhu: Archaeology, Culture, and Art in Neolithic China
The Liangzhu Culture, which existed from around 3,300 B.C.E. to 2300 B.C.E., is one of the most prosperous Chinese early civilizations 5000 years ago, outshining as the peak of prehistoric cultural and social development.
Far been underestimated, the civilization finally embraced its glory in 2019, when the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City was inscribed onto the UNESCO World Heritage List.
As a prominent archaeological discovery in China and a cultural site with historical significance — Let’s dive into the wonder of Liangzhu!
Liangzhu City — Where is it & how was it like?
The Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City, as the centre of power and belief of the Liangzhu Culture, is located on the outskirts of Hangzhou. It comprises four areas — the Area of Yaoshan Site, the Area of High-dam at the Mouth of the Valley, the Area of Low-dam on the Plain and the Area of City Site. As the largest prehistoric Neolithic city site found in China, Liangzhu City was a bustling metropolis nestled in the lower Yangtze Delta region back in ancient times.
The ancient city contains a triple centripetal structure: palace city, inner city, and outer city; at the heart of the city lies a palatial settlement comprised of a palace, surrounding city walls, and river courses including canals.
How was life in Liangzhu back then?
Situated in a wetland environment in the Tianmu mountain range, the ancient Liangzhu city has eight city gates as waterway entrances linked to the rivers. With a colossal measurement of around 18.6 miles (30 kilometers), the canals and rivers inside and outside the Liangzhu city have outlined a hydraulic engineering system that contributed to the city’s water management and agricultural development.
The longest and best-preserved prehistoric canoe ever unearthed in China is among one of the most iconic archeological discoveries of Liangzhu, suggesting the prominence of water transportation via the colossal network of canals back in ancient times. ‘No evidence of animal traction or wheel transportation tools have been found in Liangzhu,’ Zhuang Yijie, a researcher at University College London, added.
Why is Liangzhu a prominent example of early urban civilizations?
Renowned for its sophisticated system of waterways and agriculture-based economy, Liangzhu city has been an outstanding example of early urban civilizations, with the UNESCO World Heritage site revealing the city’s unified belief system based on rice cultivation in Late Neolithic China.
The society of Liangzhu Culture is believed to be an early state with social differentiation and stratification — as evidenced by its jade culture.
What’s special about Liangzhu’s jade-based ritual culture?
Upon the archaeological discovery of Liangzhu City, a large number of jade artefacts — from ornaments, utensils, vessels, tools and semi-finished objects of jade craftsmanship — were unearthed from the eminent Yaoshan Altar and other sites of the ancient city. Liangzhu’s cultural significance and impact are far beyond our imagination, as highlighted by the recent discoveries of jade Cong at the Sanxingdui Ruins site in Guanghan, Sichuan province — 1,800 km away from the ancient Liangzhu City. All of these enrich our understanding of the prehistoric civilization and reveal the religious symbolization and funeral functions.
Considered as one of the two most important Neolithic jade cultures in China, Liangzhu jade culture has demonstrated a wide variety of expressive art forms.
Among the many types of Liangzhu jades, the jade Cong(tube) is the most distinctive type with the most complex form: a cylindrical tube with a square outer section around a circular inner hollow part. The tube-shaped Cong is the only type of Liangzhu jades with decorations, typically a human-animal motif (as known as the ‘Sacred Emblem’) that presents some iconic Liangzhu features: a pair of eyes detailed by distinct ovals or swirls encircling two sockets, a mouth indicated by a narrow horizontal bar, and forehead suggested by two horizontal bands across the top (Sotheby, 2019).
It is believed that Liangzhu jades carry weight with social stratification, ancient religions, and spiritual beliefs. As such, jade cong, bi, and yue are associated with theocracy, royal power, and military power respectively. Nonetheless, the Liangzhu jade culture has undoubtedly manifested the delicate craftsmanship of early China.
Where in Hangzhou can I know more about Liangzhu culture?
Our top picks:
1. Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City
The UNESCO World Heritage Site where you learn first-hand why the prehistoric Chinese civilization has fascinated archaeologists and cultural enthusiasts.
Regarding its profound history and early urbanization, the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City holds great cultural significance, showing a large social and political unit with hierarchy, rituals, and crafts.
2. Liangzhu Museum Designed by British Architect David Chipperfield
The contemporary home to the 5,000 y/o civilization where you could explore Liangzhu culture through delicate exhibits.