Archaeologists uncover 5,000-year-old royal tomb that is 18 feet long

Archaeologists in central China have identified an enormous tomb that may have belonged to a prehistoric king, or someone from a royal lineage, about 5,000 years ago.

The find offers a glimpse into an ancient community’s organization, rituals, and social structure, with more than 350 valuable items collected from the tomb.

Unexpected size of the burial

The newly explored site extends around 183 square feet (17 square meters), which was unusually large for a burial site at the time.

Experts have estimated that the main coffin chamber itself measures about 14.8 to 15.7 feet (4.5 to 4.8 meters) in length and 11.4 to 12 feet (3.5 to 3.7 meters) in width, reflecting a level of sophistication that stood out in that era.

Royal tomb and social complexity

Archaeologists from the Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Heritage teamed up with local scholars and uncovered a variety of artifacts.

They observed that the burial arrangement clearly hinted at complex social rankings among the people who lived there.

“The latest discovery indicates that the Wangzhuang ruins are not an ordinary settlement, but rather the capital of a prehistoric kingdom,” said Zhu Guanghua, associate professor at Capital Normal University. 

Pig mandibles and carefully crafted jade pieces found within the tomb paint a picture of high-ranking status for the person buried there.

Researchers came across shattered blades scattered near the coffin and realized the damage might have been intentional. Items of symbolic importance, such as ceremonial stone tools, seemed to have been struck or snapped in half not long after the initial burial.

Historical background of the culture

Archaeologists from the Institute of Ancient History at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences note that the Dawenkou Culture, known for pottery production and advanced social rites, spanned from around 4,000 BCE to 2,600 BCE. 

The presence of ornate vessels in the tomb confirms that people in this area shared regional traditions of pottery making and possibly maintained trade or communication routes.

Investigators identified more than 100 pieces of pottery, along with nearly 200 jade ornaments and assorted bone tools.

These items suggest that this ruler commanded enough resources to gather luxury objects from different territories and was likely part of a hierarchical network.

Hints of intercultural exchange

“This site offers important examples for studying the cultural fusion across different prehistoric regions,” said Li Xinwei, deputy director of the Institute of Ancient History at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CSSN). 

Some vessels and adornments show eastern and central influences, while others reflect details connected to communities along the Yangtze River.

Evidence of conflict in the royal tomb

A number of precious items were clearly removed from the royal tomb at some point. Many of the occupant’s bones appear to have been lost, leaving only toe remains and scraps of the coffin. 

Researchers are weighing theories that rivals or outcasts might have performed these acts to display dominance or sabotage.

Archaeologists noted that similar discoveries in the surrounding area showed that those buried with more artifacts tended to have larger tomb chambers.

This correlation points to a well-defined social ladder, which may have been maintained through inheritance, military strength, or material wealth.

Growing interest among scholars

In the past, scholars believed that Chinese civilization emerged predominantly around the Yellow River basin.

Updated excavation findings now emphasize the existence of interconnected but independent cultures thriving across different regions, each contributing to a vibrant blend of traditions.

Practical insights from the ruins

Experts believe that pig mandibles, which once signified abundance, were placed in tombs belonging to upper-tier individuals.

This custom likely tied into local rituals marking status, lineage, or the ability to manage resources such as livestock.

Enigmas still under investigation

The reason behind the tomb’s destruction remains unclear. Researchers continue to analyze the positioning of scattered jade pieces, broken ceremonial tools, and the unusual absence of the human remains.

Many see this discovery as a chance to fill gaps in the historical narrative. The tomb’s size, the variety of grave goods, and the cultural links across regions promise to shed new light on the complexity of ancient societies in East Asia.

Information for this article comes from a press release in the China Daily.

—–

Like what you read? Subscribe to our newsletter for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates. 

Check us out on EarthSnap, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

—–