In a groundbreaking archaeological development, a four-courtyard style palace complex from the Xia Dynasty (2070BC-1600BC), China’s earliest known dynasty, has been unearthed in Xinmi, Central China’s Henan Province. This discovery, as reported by Xinhua News Agency, brings fresh perspectives to the study of early Chinese palace architecture.
The Guchengzhai site, situated on a plateau east of the Zhen River in Xinmi, covers an expansive area of over 176,000 square meters. Between 2021 and 2023, the Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology conducted extensive surveys and targeted excavations at the site. Their efforts have led to several significant archaeological findings, particularly in the inner and key outer areas of the site.
A highlight of these discoveries is the “No.1” rammed-earth platform. Spanning approximately 1,800 square meters, this large-scale structure features a flat surface and an elongated rectangular shape, measuring around 60 meters in length and 30 meters in width. The platform exhibits a sophisticated layout with a higher central section and a series of well-arranged column holes.
Li Bo, the on-site director of the excavation, noted that the structure’s orientation and arrangement of rooms, central courtyard, and east and west corridors indicate a grand scale and complex structure. This orientation suggests a meticulous architectural plan typical of early Chinese palace complexes.
Adjacent to the No. 1 rammed-earth platform, archaeologists uncovered another rammed-earth relic, partly revealed to be about 25 meters long and 10 meters wide. This relic is believed to be part of the same architectural complex as the No. 1 platform.
Li Bo remarked that the central-eastern area of the Guchengzhai site is identified as the core palace zone. The No. 1 platform and the adjacent rammed-earth relic, along with previously discovered palace foundations and corridor bases, together constitute a four-courtyard style architectural complex. This layout is significant in the study of ancient Chinese palace architecture.
The discovery not only reshapes our understanding of the Guchengzhai site’s inner layout but also provides pivotal evidence for exploring the origin and evolution of palace architecture during the Xia Dynasty.
Future archaeological work will focus on understanding the nature, construction context, and unique features of the No. 1 rammed earth platform. Researchers aim to conduct thorough investigations into the scale and layout of the palace core area and the surrounding road systems, offering deeper insights into the architectural prowess of ancient China’s earliest known dynasty.
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