Xiaodongmen Neolithic Tombs in Qiaojia County, Zhaotong
Chinese Name: 昭通巧家县小东门新石器晚期墓葬
English Name: Xiaodongmen Neolithic Tombs in Qiaojia County, Zhaotong
Location: The Xiaodongmen Neolithic Tombs are situated in the center of Qiaojia County, near the Xiaodongmen area. Historically, this site housed government offices during the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China era. Since 1950, it has been part of the county committee and county government grounds. Due to the construction of buildings on the site, the tombs have not been systematically investigated, leaving the exact area of the tombs unknown.
Discoveries and Excavations:
- 1984 Excavation: During the construction of a building by the County Science and Technology Commission, six tombs were discovered. Three artifacts were collected, including gray pottery with sand inclusions. The pottery features flat-bottomed, round-bellied jars with leaf vein patterns on the bottom and parallel scratches on the shoulders and rim.
- 1990 Excavation: While constructing staff dormitories, slate tombs were found. The Provincial Cultural Relics Management Committee was notified, leading to a rescue excavation by the Zhaotong Cultural Relics Management Office and the County Cultural Relics Management Office. This excavation lasted 27 days and covered an area of 400 square meters. A total of 19 tombs were cleared, revealing over 50 items, including pottery, stone tools, bone tools, and shell artifacts. The stone coffins, made of natural stone blocks, consistently oriented the deceased’s heads to the south. The artifacts have been cleaned and cataloged, awaiting further identification. The slate tombs are preliminarily dated to the late Neolithic period.
Significance: The Xiaodongmen Neolithic Tombs provide valuable insights into Neolithic burial practices and artifacts in the region, though further research and excavation are needed to fully understand the site.
