Hemudu Rice Field Wooden Piles
Hemudu Rice Field Wooden Piles North Annex · Hemudu Site
Neolithic to Iron Age (6000 BCE–500 CE)·Neolithic·🇨🇳 Zhejiang, Yuyao, China
About
About Hemudu Rice Field Wooden Piles
Hemudu Rice Field Wooden Piles in Zhejiang, Yuyao, China is a Neolithic to Iron Age (6000 BCE–500 CE) ancient village attributed to Neolithic. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal site extent 150 × 90 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 30.0160N 121.3400E controls access to Zhejiang resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey ancient village for Zhejiang, Yuyao, illustrating Neolithic construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 4000 BCE–500 CE
- Period
- Neolithic to Iron Age (6000 BCE–500 CE)
- Culture
- Neolithic
- Purpose
- Ceremonial and residential complex
- Rediscovered
- 1988 survey
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 4000 BCE–500 CE
Initial construction of Hemudu Rice Field Wooden Piles main structure
c. 1928
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1988–2018
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Hemudu Rice Field Wooden Piles) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
30.0160° N · 121.3400° E · 276 m · 4 mapped features
Hemudu Rice Field Wooden Piles — Main Structure
structurePrincipal ancient village — Site extent 150 × 90 m with diagnostic masonry/panel
30.0168° N · 121.3409° EHemudu Rice Field Wooden Piles — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
30.0150° N · 121.3393° EHemudu Rice Field Wooden Piles — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
30.0175° N · 121.3412° EHemudu Rice Field Wooden Piles — Hydraulic/Cistern
hydraulicHydraulic feature — cistern/reservoir or rock-cut channel associated with site
30.0144° N · 121.3389° E