Painted pottery provide glimpses of sophisticated civilization

The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences announced in February six "New Archaeological Discoveries in China in 2024", of which the Majiayao culture settlement at the Siwa site in Lintao county, Gansu province, stood out.

The site offered up compelling evidence of the settlement's sophisticated planning, cultural richness, and advanced level of civilization. The settlement features three massive parallel rectangular moats with right-angle turns, forming an enclosed area of nearly 300,000 square meters. Constructed and primarily utilized around 5,000 years ago, this represents the earliest known multi-rectangular moat structure in China.

The pottery unearthed at the site, particularly the breathtaking painted ceramics, commands special attention. Adorned with graceful curves, dynamic water ripples, swimming fish, soaring birds, and lifelike faces, these vessels resemble vivid paintings glowing with artistic brilliance.