On October 16, the Shanxi Provincial Archaeological Research Institute publicly released excavation details regarding the Ji Jia Village site in Lishi, Shanxi. This site yielded a wealth of artifacts, including pottery and stone tools, representing the earliest Neolithic remains found in the heart of the Lüliang Mountain region.
During the interview, I spoke with Zhang Haijiao, the project leader for this archaeological dig. He noted that the Ji Jia Village site was initially discovered between 1982 and 1983 by the Jinzhong Archaeological Team. It is situated on the western edge of Ji Jia Village in the Lishi District of Lüliang City. In August 2022, in response to construction projects at the Lishi District Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, the Shanxi Provincial Archaeological Research Institute collaborated with the Lüliang City Cultural Relics Archaeological Survey Team and the Lishi Cultural Heritage Bureau to conduct rescue excavations at the site.
Zhang explained that their preliminary surveys, combined with the site’s terrain and visible remains at the cliff, led to the discovery of two Neolithic house sites, one pottery kiln, and one ash pit. In total, 35 artifacts were unearthed, which included a comprehensive collection of pottery types: a double-lipped pointed-bottom bottle, painted pottery basins, curved-bellied pots, deep belly jars, wide-mouthed jars, narrow-mouthed bowls, and clay knives.
Zhang emphasized that these findings reflect the earliest Neolithic remnants in Lüliang Mountain’s core area. Interestingly, the cultural evidence suggests a high level of sophistication. He raised an important question: did the creators of these artifacts migrate from the southern Shanxi region to settle along the riverside terraces, or had there been human habitation in the area prior to their arrival? This remains a topic for further exploration.
The artifacts from Ji Jia Village, according to Zhang, are not only significant for understanding production and daily life within the Lüliang Mountain region, but they also offer insights into the cultural characteristics of the Neolithic period and help trace the development and settlement patterns in the area. Furthermore, they contribute to a deeper understanding of the complex relationships between Central Plains and Northern cultures during early Neolithic times.
