A new book published in northwest China's Shaanxi Province has revealed key 
archaeological discoveries at China's Shimao ruins.

According to Xiong Hui, director of Shaanxi's local chronicles office, local 
chronicles of Shimao, as encyclopedia of Shimao ruins, could record 
archaeological discoveries, reflect protection and management of cultural 
relics and contribute to its application for UNESCO list of world cultural 
heritage.

Shimao site, the biggest city site from the Longshan Period to the Xia Dynasty 
(Neolithic Age) discovered in China so far, is of great significance in 
tracking source of China's early civilization.

Spanning 4 million square meters, the lost city dating back to 2,300 BC is 
located on the edge of the Muus Desert in Gaojiabao Town, Shenmu City.

The site consists of three parts, including the core imperial city pyramid, the 
inner city and the outer city. The three stone-made enclosures made up a great 
architectural example for China's ancient capitals.

Over the past years, excavators have uncovered a stone city with immense 
fortifications and sophisticated infrastructure, thousands of luxurious 
artifacts including jades, potteries, bone artifacts, stone sculptures, and 
murals.

The Shimao site is hailed as one of the most important prehistoric 
archaeological discoveries in China in this century. Its academic value has 
been recognized at home and abroad.

In April 2019, six projects including the Shimao ruins were added to China's 
Tentative List for World Heritage Sites. In addition, the Neolithic City of 
Shimao was listed among the top 10 archaeological findings of the past decade 
by the U.S.-based Archaeology journal in December 2020.

Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/328070.html

SOURCE:  Xinhua Silk Road

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   Link: https://iop.asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=421995

   Caption: Photo shows the Shimao ruins, an important prehistoric site in 
Shenmu City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province in sunset.