新时代中国调研行｜一座东北小山实证九千年中华玉文化——探访黑龙江饶河小南山遗址

Core Viewpoint - The Xiaonan Mountain site in Heilongjiang Province is a significant archaeological discovery that provides evidence of 9,000 years of Chinese jade culture, reshaping the understanding of the origins and development of jade artifacts in China [3][5][9]. Archaeological Findings - The Xiaonan Mountain site covers an area of over 400,000 square meters and has yielded numerous ancient cultural relics since the 1950s, although formal archaeological work only began in 2015 [3][5]. - As of now, nearly 2,700 square meters have been excavated, revealing thousands of artifacts from various periods, including the late Paleolithic to the Han Dynasty, illustrating the early life of the ancestors in the Ussuri River basin [5][9]. - The site was designated a national key cultural relic protection unit in 2019 and recognized as one of the top ten archaeological discoveries of that year [5][9]. Jade Artifacts - Over the past decade, more than 140 jade artifacts have been unearthed, bringing the total to over 200, showcasing the early development of jade culture in China [7][9]. - The jade artifacts include various forms such as rings, tubes, beads, and axes, reflecting the earliest known jade culture in China, with some artifacts dating back approximately 9,000 years [7][9]. - The discovery of jade artifacts has pushed back the timeline of jade culture's origins by 1,000 years and extended its geographical reach by over 1,000 kilometers [7][9]. Cultural Significance - The Xiaonan Mountain site is pivotal for understanding the origins and evolution of jade culture in China, as it provides new insights into the social and cultural practices of prehistoric humans [9][11]. - The artifacts indicate that ancient humans had a higher level of spiritual pursuit, contradicting the notion that they lived in primitive conditions [9][11]. Future Research and Preservation - The fieldwork at the Xiaonan Mountain site has reached a preliminary completion stage, with ongoing efforts in report writing and research [11]. - Future plans include accelerating the publication of archaeological reports, enhancing research planning, and strengthening the promotion and protection of the site [11].