5,000-Year-Old Royal Tomb in Central China Discovered!

A team of archaeologists have made an extraordinary discovery in central China’s Henan Province, unearthing a 5,000-year-old tomb believed to belong to a prehistoric king. The tomb was found at the Wangzhuang ruins and has drawn significant attention due to its impressive size, the richness of the burial artefacts, and evidence suggesting cultural exchanges between different ancient societies.

The tomb, known as M27, dates back to the middle and late periods of the Dawenkou Culture (4000 BCE–2600 BCE), a Neolithic culture in ancient China. Measuring between 4.52 to 4.8 metres in length and 3.47 to 3.68 metres in width, it’s one of the largest tombs discovered from this era. Covering an area of 17 square metres, the tomb features both inner and outer coffins, a significant indication of the wealth and status of its occupant.

Photo Credit: Xinhua

A Capital of a Prehistoric Kingdom

According to Zhu Guanghua, associate professor at Capital Normal University and one of the lead archaeologists on the project, the discovery is evidence that the Wangzhuang ruins were more than just a settlement, but likely the capital of a prehistoric kingdom. The site is filled with over 350 artefacts, including more than 100 pottery pieces, nearly 200 jade ornaments, bone tools, and the remains of animals such as pig mandibles, a symbol of wealth during that time.

The discovery has also provided important insights into the cultural dynamics of ancient China. Li Xinwei, deputy director of the Institute of Ancient History at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, explained that the site reflects the early exchanges between different regions in prehistoric China. Artefacts found at the site reveal influences from both the eastern and central regions of ancient China, as well as from the Yangtze River basin, suggesting that the inhabitants of Wangzhuang were actively involved in cultural exchanges with distant areas.

Evidence of Destruction

One of the most intriguing aspects of the tomb is the evidence of deliberate destruction, possibly caused by rival forces not long after its construction. Many of the tomb’s valuable artefacts were looted, and the skeletal remains of the tomb owner had been severely disturbed, with only a few toe bones remaining. Scattered jade ornaments and ceremonial stone blades, many of which were deliberately broken, were found in and around the coffin. The exact reason behind this destruction remains a mystery, with researchers continuing to investigate.

Photo Credit: Xinhua

Ongoing Discoveries

The M27 tomb, although the largest, is not the only significant find at the Wangzhuang site. In 2024 alone, archaeologists uncovered 45 new tombs from the Dawenkou Culture, of which 27 have been fully excavated. According to Liu Haiwang, the leader of the joint archaeological team, the wealth of burial objects found in these tombs is closely linked to the size of the tombs, indicating the presence of a distinct social hierarchy and class divisions. Pig mandibles were found in several tombs, further suggesting that they belonged to individuals of higher rank.

The Dawenkou Culture is known for its advancements in pottery and jade craftsmanship, which played a crucial role in shaping the ritual practices of later Chinese dynasties like the Xia, Shang, and Zhou. The artefacts found at Wangzhuang showcase the skilled craftsmanship of this ancient society and hint at a well-developed division of labour.

Until recently, it was widely believed that Chinese civilisation primarily emerged in the Yellow River valley. However, discoveries at sites like Wangzhuang suggest that many independent cultures across different regions interacted and influenced one another, painting a much more intricate picture of how ancient Chinese society evolved.