Period: Neolithic Period (about 7000-8000 years ago)
Listed in: 2004
Excavated by: the Cultural Relics Research Institute of Hebei Province
Archeological team leader: Duan Hongzhen

 Site description

The site, first discovered in 1985, is by far one of the most important prehistoric sites in Hebei Province, boasting great significance in the research  on prehistoric civilization in North China. The site contains relics of a culture that existed close to the Cishan and Xinglongwa cultures about 6000-5000BC. The site is the most significant discovery of the three prehistoric digs made during 2003-2004, as it fills up the regional blank between the Cishan and Xinglongwa cultures.

A great number of dwellings and ash-pits have been excavated at the site; at the location for sacrifices, jade-pieces, stone pieces, potteries, and especially a lot of carved ceramic masks have been found. The masks are so far the earliest of their kind and the most well-preserved masks from prehistoric times, providing new important materials for the study of primitive religion and wizardry, and shedding light on early Neolithic culture in North China and the spiritual life of ancient people.

  Significance

The prehistoric site at Beifudi is located at the conjunction of the three prehistoric cultures of the Central Plains, North, and Shandong, which makes it important in the study of the comprehensive relations between the three cultures. The site is the remains of a large Neolithic village, making it a significant resource in studying the lifestyle of ancient people.

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