Hunan Archaeology 2002 (top and bottom)

Author: Hunan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, Hunan Provincial Society of Archaeology
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-05-01
Features: The Chadong Site was discovered during a 1989 cultural relic review and yielded artifacts from the Neolithic, Shang-Zhou, and Han periods. In winter 2000, to support the construction of the Chadong Town Border Trade Street, our team conducted exploration and rescue excavations within the project area. The excavation work concluded on February 10, 2001. The following details the excavation findings:
I. Geographical Environment
The Chadong Site is located on the east (right) bank of the Qing River in Chadong Town, 25 kilometers southwest of Huayuan County, Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture, with geographical coordinates at 28°30′ N and 109°16′ E. The platform is 20 meters above the riverbed. The southeastern Erlong Mountain forms a crescent-shaped ring around the site. To the west, it overlooks Hong'an Town in Chongqing across the river. The site lies at the junction of Hunan, Guizhou, and Chongqing provinces, with National Highway 319 crossing the Qing River from the west and passing through the southern part of Erlong Mountain (Figure 1).
II. Cultural Strata
Through exploration, we established four test pits in the central-southern and western parts of the site, covering an excavation area of 96 square meters and exposing 17.5 square meters of Paleolithic strata. Taking the southern wall of the western test pit as an example (Figure 2):
Layer 1: Modern disturbance layer, containing a large amount of modern household waste and Ming-Qing porcelain fragments. Thickness: 35–100 cm.
Layer 2: Gray soil with abundant charcoal ash, primarily distributed in the southwestern part of the test pit, sandy in texture, yielding a large number of Ming porcelain fragments and some Han pottery fragments. Thickness: 30–50 cm.
Layer 3: Black soil with small amounts of charcoal particles and carbon residue, intermixed with a large number of Song-Han pottery fragments. Thickness: 5–52 cm.
Layer 4: Dark brown soil with abundant charcoal particles and some carbon residue, loose in texture, containing a large number of Jin pottery fragments and Eastern Zhou artifacts. Thickness: 8–32 cm.
Layer 5: Dark gray soil with abundant charcoal and carbon residue, compact in texture, containing a small number of Eastern Han hard pottery fragments and Shang-Zhou artifacts. Thickness: 5–60 cm.
Layer 6: Relatively pure yellow soil, compact in texture, with fragmented artifacts, primarily Eastern Zhou period. Thickness: 15–30 cm.
Layer 7: Relatively compact black soil, containing uneven charcoal and carbon residue, with numerous but fragmented pottery fragments, primarily Eastern Zhou period with some Western Zhou pottery. Thickness: 5–0 cm.
Layer 8: Gray clay with a small amount of charcoal residue, limited to the southeastern part of the test pit, with numerous but fragmented pottery fragments, primarily Western Zhou period. Thickness: 5–42 cm.
Layer 9: Yellow-brown soil with a small amount of charcoal residue, compact in texture, with numerous but severely fragmented pottery fragments, containing Shang-Zhou period artifacts. Thickness: 5–20 cm.
Layer 10: Yellow soil with a small amount of charcoal residue, compact in texture, with very few pottery fragments, loose and easily broken, primarily Shang-Zhou period. Thickness: 5–15 cm.
In terms of vessel types, the early period saw the disappearance of jars and tripods but the emergence of new forms such as pots, bowls, lids, and cups. Jars, bowls, and lids inherited changes from the previous period. Type A and B jars and Types II and III jars showed clear distinctions from Types IV and V. Type A and B bowls were relatively stable in form but varied in clay and firing. A new type of spindle whorl with wavy patterns appeared, and fishing sinkers became longer and larger, possibly reflecting the use of larger nets. New decorative styles such as fluted rims on pottery rims and incised patterns on bowls and pots emerged in the middle period. Most pottery fragments in the late period were disturbed by later layers, making the pure stratigraphy unclear. The dating is based on the abundance of Warring States pottery fragments. The main characteristics of this period were high-fired gray clay pottery with deep, sharp cord markings, including pots, bowls, jars, bowls, spindle whorls, and sinkers. The pottery assemblage differed greatly from the previous two periods.
Bronze artifacts appeared in the middle and late periods, primarily as weapons and small tools, with some fragments of containers. Bone artifacts were abundant throughout. The historical trajectory of the ancient Xiangxi ethnic groups is linked to the origin of modern ethnic minorities. The description of porcelain from the Han, Wei, and Ming-Qing periods holds specific significance for understanding how regional cultural factors were reflected in material remains during historical times.
Dating: The pottery of the early period matches that of the Zhujiatai Site in Sangzhi, dating to the Shang period. For the Western Zhou and Eastern Zhou periods, there are no formally excavated sites in Xiangxi for comparison. By comparing with nearby sites such as Zhongbao Island, Xianglushi, Lujiahe, Yangjiazui, Liulinxi, Xiaoxikou, and Liujiakou, the middle period is dated to the Western Zhou to Spring and Autumn period, and the late period to the Warring States period. Due to limited data, this absolute dating is broad and rough, and more precise chronological divisions await the establishment of a finer cultural sequence and chronology for the region. We sampled charcoal and peat from T11④, T11⑤, and T11⑥ strata for radiocarbon dating, yielding results of 2305±70 years, 2570±80 years, and 2260±70 years, respectively. After tree-ring calibration (using a half-life of 5570 years), the corrected dates were 2395±39 years, 2725±120 years, and 2335±39 years. These dates fall within the Western Zhou to Warring States period but appear slightly late and do not align with pottery typology findings. Further research is needed.
V. Conclusion
The cultural strata of the Ermen Gate Site are simple from top to bottom, indicating a long-lasting, stable, and self-contained cultural type. We believe the site does not belong to the same cultural system as the Shang-Zhou culture of the Jianghan-Dongting Lake region but shares a larger cultural system with the Shang-Zhou culture of the Xijiang and western Hubei mountainous areas. However, it also has significant differences, primarily in the unique incised-patterned pottery with continuity from the Shang period to the Spring and Autumn period.
The Ermen Gate Site's subsistence economy was primarily based on hunting and gathering, as evidenced by the large number of hunting tools such as bronze arrowheads, stone balls, and pottery sinkers. The natural environment, with the settlement located at the foot of a riverbank mountain, was ideal for such a lifestyle, supported by abundant skeletal remains of wild animals. This situation is similar to related sites in western Hubei and the Xijiang region. To the southeast of the Ermen Gate Site lies a narrow river valley plain and low hills, offering favorable conditions for dry-land agriculture. However, whether such agriculture was developed and its scale remain questions for exploration.
The settlement pattern of the Ermen Gate Site was characterized by natural caves and rock shelters along the riverbank. We surveyed similar natural topography along the Mengdong River and Qing River. Notably, numerous Shang-Zhou sites exist on the river terraces around the Ermen Gate Site, such as the Yanggongqiao Site. Thus, this cave-dwelling lifestyle is either a model of mountainous culture or a special case? Were there differences in production methods and ethnic affiliation between cave dwellers and terrace residents? The Ermen Gate Site provides an ideal setting for micro-studies of mountainous settlements. For example, Shang period deposits were found only near the river in rock shelters, while Western Zhou and later deposits were primarily on slopes and in caves. Additionally, the functional differences between cave interiors and exteriors, exemplified by T6 and its surroundings, are worth investigating. T6, with 11 layers, showed no surface remains, consisting solely of eastward-sloping living deposits. To its west, there was no cave but a long, wide rock fissure, offering shelter, ventilation, and dryness—ideal for constructing sheds. Did these sheds and caves serve seasonal functions?
Specimen T5⑨:2, a Type B cup, was found in T5⑨ and T6⑨, providing insights into the behavior of the inhabitants. If we view the site as an organic settlement—a family or clan's living space—we can reveal theoretical considerations through actual excavations, which would be a meaningful endeavor.
Regarding spiritual life, few artifacts reflect it. Oracle bones were found in Layers 5 and 6, with processing and drilling methods similar to those in the Central Plains, indicating the presence of shamans in social spiritual life. The oracle bones from the Ermen Gate Site are later in date than those in neighboring Hubei and Chongqing sites, suggesting that divination traditions persisted longer in this region. Other artifacts reflecting mountainous culture include bone tubes, which may have been musical instruments, and bird-shaped pottery sculptures.
The large number of animal bone and tooth specimens from the Ermen Gate Site provides rich material for ancient ecological research. The excavation of the Ermen Gate Site has been part of our long-term exploration of ethnic archaeology in Xiangxi. Through this site, we have established a benchmark for Xiangxi's Shang-Zhou culture. This work has also deepened our understanding of cave sites in Xiangxi, which, unlike slope sites, are less prone to erosion, preserving cultural strata well and retaining strong indigenous cultural elements.
Additionally, the Xiangxi, western Hubei, and Xijiang regions all lie at the junction of the second and third geographical steps. The Ermen Gate Site's revelation of cultural unity provides new insights into ancient cultural patterns and ethnic relations.
This work was guided by the enthusiastic advice of Mr. He Jijun, Mr. Yuan Jiarong, Mr. Pei Anping, and others, for which we express our sincere gratitude.
Excavation and sorting: Chai Huanbo, Long Jingsha, Lei Jiashen, Lu Weidong, Peng Genlin, Liu Dejing, Lin Yuan, Jiang Jianping, Su Jian, Zhao Yun
Illustrations: Li Fuping
Author: Chai Huanbo, Long Jingsha
II. Tomb Forms and Dating
Period II: The tombs were vertical shaft pit graves, with a total of 10 (98M2, 98M12, 96M1, 96M2, 96M3, 96M5, 97M1, 97M3, 97M6, 97M8). The main burial goods were boxes, jars, and pots, with no bronze artifacts and very few iron artifacts. Pottery burials included Type A ding (tripod), Type A ring-footed jar, jar, box, Type A polished stone disc, and Type A stone cup. Type A ding had a flat lid, straight rectangular ears, flat-based tripod, small flat bottom, and some were painted, especially the grooved or notched tripod legs, which were common in the Jiangling Yutai Chu tombs and also found in Yiyang and Dayong. Type A polished stone disc had a large diameter, similar to M14:1a in Dayong's Santriangular site. Type A stone cup resembled M65:7 in Dayong's Santriangular site. Based on tomb forms, artifacts, and assemblage characteristics, as well as the shape of the polished stone disc, these tombs are dated to the early Western Han period.
Period III: The tombs included wedge-shaped graves, sloping shaft graves, and vertical shaft pit graves. A total of 9 tombs (98M1, 98M4, 98M9, 98M14, 98M15, 98M16, 98M17, 98M18, 97M5) were assigned to this period. The majority of burial assemblages followed the styles of the previous period but showed some differences. Notably, some tombs (e.g., 98M9) began to include model pottery items such as wells and kitchens, along with items like pots, steamers, and water jars. The introduction of new types of daily-use model pottery, such as pots and wells, indicates the transitional significance of this period. The lids of ding pots were slightly raised with three-square vertical knobs, and incense burners evolved from cover-bowl forms to Baoshan styles. Hard-fired jar shapes included cylindrical and double-shouldered jars, with new decorative techniques like glazing appearing on jar bodies. Based on tomb forms, burial goods, and assemblage characteristics, along with a wealth of Wudi five-hu, Xuandi five-hu, upper horizontal five-hu, and mud five-hu coins, this period is dated to the middle Western Han period.
Period IV: The tombs were primarily wedge-shaped with sloping shafts, totaling 6 (98M8, 98M10, 98M20, 96M4, 98M11, 97M9). The majority of burial assemblages followed the third type. Notably, 5 tombs (98M8, 98M10, 98M20, 96M4, 98M11, 97M9) contained (stoves) and (kettles) as standalone or paired items, along with items like pots, steamers, and water jars. Beyond the typological features of pottery, the proportion of bronze imitating pottery in burials gradually decreased. For example, the patterns on ding legs evolved from zoomorphic to human face motifs, the upper ends of ding ears bent outward, and the number of jars in burials decreased. No boxes were found in burials, and hard-fired jars began to show occasional incised symbols. Polished stone discs gradually decreased in diameter, with the patterns on them evolving into intersecting parallel lines forming diamond shapes. Based on tomb forms, burial goods, and assemblage characteristics, along with materials such as the "square" grid Zhaoming mirror from 98M10 and the Sunlight mirror inscriptions from 97M9, as well as coins like the lower star five-hu, half-moon five-hu, and clipped five-hu, this period is dated to the late Western Han period.