A recent excavation in central China has revealed a 5,000-year-old tomb filled with remarkable artifacts from the Dawenkou Culture. The size and richness of the tomb suggest that its owner was likely a prehistoric king, offering a glimpse into the early formation of power structures.
This fall, archaeologists working at the Wangzhuang ruins in Henan Province uncovered a range of tombs, with Tomb M27 standing out due to its vast size, elaborate coffins, and abundant burial goods. Experts believe this tomb belonged to a high-ranking individual, possibly a ruler, further supporting the theory that the site may have served as the capital of a prehistoric kingdom tied to the ancient Neolithic Dawenkou Culture, which flourished from around 4000 B.C. to 2600 B.C.
“The discovery suggests that the Wangzhuang ruins were not just a typical settlement but may have been the center of a prehistoric kingdom,” said Zhu Guanghua, associate professor at Capital Normal University and the lead architect of the excavation, as reported by China Daily. The diversity of the artifacts discovered also hints at cultural exchanges and connections that spanned beyond the region, deepening our understanding of early civilization.
