Archaeologists in Henan Province have uncovered China’s earliest known wooden coffins, dating back more than 8,000 years. The find indicates that the coffin-and-chamber burial system was already in use in prehistoric China, according the Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Heritage and Archaeology.
The discovery took place at the Jiahu site in Wuyang county. The site has yielded large numbers of bone flutes, turtle shells, pottery, and stone tools, providing information on early Chinese civilisation.
“These are the earliest wooden coffins discovered in China to date, pushing back the appearance of wooden burial furniture by about 2,000 years,” said Wei Xingtao, Deputy Director of the Institute.
“In the central cemetery, we have uncovered more than 200 tombs, 10 of which show evidence of wooden coffins,” Li Jindou, Head of the site excavation told the
Global Times, a partner of TV BRICS.
“Some coffins measured 2 metres long, 0.6 meters wide, and 6 centimeters thick. Soil analysis showed higher lignin content in these areas compared to surrounding soil,” he added.
The use of wooden coffins indicates that the burial system was established more than 2,000 years earlier than previously thought. Sets of ritual vessels and different types of sacrificial pits show the development of early funerary practices.
“Jiahu site is a representative and key site for understanding the origins of civilisation,” Wei said.
Photo:
Xinhua News Agency
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