Archaeologists discover cemetery of high-ranking Xia Dynasty noble in Shanxi's Xiyang county

The Shanxi Archaeology Museum has announced the discovery of a cemetery belonging to a high‑ranking noble from the late Xia Dynasty (c. 22nd century‑16th century BC) at the Zhongcun site in Xiyang county.

From 2024 to 2025, the museum and other institutions explored the site with approval from the National Cultural Heritage Administration. Their work included surveys and excavations at a cemetery with tombs dating from the Xia Dynasty to the Warring States Period (475‑221 BC).

The cemetery area had been severely damaged by agricultural activities in the 1960s and 1970s, indicating that the original number of tombs was likely far greater than the 18 excavated. Among the 18 tombs, 12 date to the Warring States Period and 6 to the Xia Dynasty.

The Xia Dynasty tombs are well‑organized, vertical earthen pit tombs with an east‑west orientation. They have yielded nearly 40 individual artifacts and sets, including pottery, lacquerware, and turquoise objects. This burial cluster belongs to the highest‑ranking Xia Dynasty noble cemetery discovered to date, suggesting that the site served as a regional political center.

Radiocarbon dating indicates that the Zhongcun site existed from approximately 1880 BC to 1450 BC. The site exhibits strong regional characteristics and is confirmed to have existed within the Dongtaibao culture. The cultural remains reflect close interactions among various cultures of the time.

The discovery of the Zhongcun site fills a gap in Xia Dynasty archaeology on the western foothills of the Taihang Mountains. It expands the scope of Xia‑Shang civilization research and opens new perspectives for understanding the social complexity and civilizational processes of the period.

Li Jialu contributed to this story.