On the 21st, the reporter learned from the Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region that in 2022, the archaeological excavation project of Caitaopo site discovered more than 60 suspected sites, which is of great significance for understanding the complete Hongshan society.
Caitaopo Site is one of the excavation sites determined in the recent planning of the major archaeological project of China “Research on the Civilization Process of Hongshan Society”.
The site is located in the north of Anqing Town, Songshan District, Chifeng City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and its geographical location is close to the junction of Songshan District and Wengniute Banner in Chifeng City. In July 2022, Inner Mongolia Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology conducted archaeological exploration and excavation of the site.
Sun Jinsong, president of the Inner Mongolia Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, said that in this archaeological exploration and excavation, the exploration area was about 30,000 square meters, and more than 60 suspected remains were explored. Excavations were mainly concentrated in the south of the site, and two houses were cleared in the north, with a total exposed area of more than 500 square meters. There were 12 excavated houses, 5 ash pits and 1 kitchen site. Unearthed relics include pottery, stone tools, bones and mussels.
According to the archaeological department, the discovery of two large houses in Caitaopo site is of great significance for understanding the complete Hongshan society.
Archaeologists suggest that the next step is to strengthen regional cooperation and multi-disciplinary comprehensive application in the excavation of Caitaopo site, so as to provide a basis for understanding the process of social civilization in Hongshan. (Reporter Li Aiping)