Discovery of the earliest known large-scale ancient paddy field in China
From about 6700 to 4500 years ago, a relatively complete road network and irrigation system have been formed.
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Yesterday, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage held a working meeting on the important progress of the “Archaeological China” project, at which the archaeological excavation of “Ancient Paddy Field in Shi ‘ao Site, Zhejiang Province” was reported. This is the largest, oldest and most abundant large-scale paddy field discovered in the world at present.
Shi ‘ao Site in Yuyao, Zhejiang Province is a paddy field of Hemudu culture and Liangzhu culture, with a preliminary exploration area of about 900,000 square meters. From 2020 to 2021, with the approval of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, Zhejiang Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, Ningbo Institute of Cultural Heritage Management and Hemudu Site Museum in Yuyao jointly carried out archaeological excavations.
Beijing Youth Daily reporter learned that this time, large-scale rice field remains of Hemudu culture and Liangzhu culture were excavated, dating from about 6,700 to 4,500 years ago. During the Hemudu culture period, only a few remains of paddy fields, ridges and ditches were found due to the small excavated area of paddy fields. During the Liangzhu culture period, the structure of rice fields was clear, and a road network with a “well” structure composed of raised ridges and an irrigation system composed of rivers, canals and irrigation outlets was discovered. Four fields with an area of about 750,700,1900 and 1300 square meters were identified, and the edge of a pottery kettle, fins with legs, a flat bottom, a stone knife and a stone barrel were unearthed.
After testing, there are many remains of rice spikelet axis, glume shell, associated weeds in rice fields, etc. The results of phytolith analysis showed that the density of phytolith in rice paddies was much higher than the standard of general ancient paddy fields.
According to the report at the meeting, the ancient paddy field of Shi ‘ao site is the largest, oldest and most abundant large-scale paddy field found in the world at present. A relatively complete road network and irrigation system have appeared in the rice fields of Liangzhu culture. The origin of this large-scale rice field may be as early as more than 6,500 years ago. This discovery shows that rice farming is an important economic support for the social development from Hemudu culture to Liangzhu culture, which further deepens the understanding of prehistoric social and economic development in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River.
The conference focused on “Important archaeological discoveries and research progress in the Neolithic Age”. In addition to the ancient paddy fields of Shi ‘ao site, the archaeological progress of Yingdeyan Shanzhai site in Guangdong, Nanzuo site in Qingyang, Gansu, Geangchuan site in Sol Zhang and Dengcaogouliang site in Zhangjiakou, Hebei was also reported at the meeting. These achievements show the origins of Neolithic cultures in different stages of the Yellow River, Yangtze River and Pearl River basins. (Reporter Cui Yifei)
Photo courtesy of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage