Archaeologists have made a groundbreaking discovery in the Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, located in Northwest China’s Qinghai Province, unearthing a vast ancient tomb cluster that covers an area of 120,000 square meters. The site, known as Xia’er Yamakebu, is home to a staggering 3,228 tombs, making it the largest cluster of pre-Qin Dynasty (221BC-206BC) tombs ever found in China’s northwestern region.
The significance of this discovery extends beyond its sheer size. According to archaeologist Xue Ruiming, the Xia’er Yamakebu site dates back to the Shang Dynasty (c.1600BC-1046BC), making it “more than 800 years older than the historical period of the Qin Dynasty.” This ancient site is associated with the Nuomuhong culture, a native culture comprised of indigenous people who once inhabited the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau area.
Xue highlighted the crucial role played by the ancient Qiang ethnic minority group in shaping the Nuomuhong culture, noting that the Qiang ethnic minority culture has persisted for over 3,000 years. “Looking into ancient people’s lifestyle and cultural traditions can help us understand the ethnic cultural diversity of China,” Xue explained.
In addition to the tombs, the archaeological team uncovered a wealth of artifacts at the Xia’er Yamakebu site, including pottery, bronze and jade wares, as well as items made from bone and wood. Remarkably, the remains of ancient woven fabrics were also discovered. Du Wei, the lead archaeologist of the Xia’er Yamakebu project, emphasized the value of these tombs and artifacts as “solid research materials” that will enable archaeologists to delve deeper into the mysteries of the Nuomuhong culture.
To date, detailed excavations have been conducted on 52 of the 3,228 tombs. The archaeological investigation at the Xia’er Yamakebu site began in 2021, led by a collaboration between the Qinghai Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology and the Northwest University, located in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province.
This monumental discovery promises to shed new light on the ancient civilizations that once thrived in China’s northwestern region. By analyzing the tombs and artifacts uncovered at the Xia’er Yamakebu site, researchers hope to gain valuable insights into the lifestyle, cultural traditions, and ethnic diversity of ancient China, enriching our understanding of the country’s rich and varied heritage.
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