Dadiwan Site: The Cradle and Dawn of Chinese Civilization

### Dadiwan Site: The Cradle and Dawn of Chinese Civilization Geographic Location and Historical Background The Dadiwan Site is located in Shaodian Village, Wuying Township, northeast of Qinan County, Tianshui City, Gansu Province, China. It has a history of more than 8,000 years and is a cultural relic from the late Neolithic Age to the early Bronze Age. It is one of the earliest agricultural civilizations in China. The discovery of this site filled the gap in the cultural sequence of the Neolithic Age in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, providing extremely important physical materials for the study of the origin of the Chinese nation and its early civilization process. Cultural Stages and Major Discoveries The Dadiwan Site can be divided into five periods according to the accumulation sequence of the cultural layers, each of which shows its own unique cultural features and technical level. The most important discoveries include: - **First Period**: Around 5800 BC to 5100 BC, China's earliest pottery kiln and house foundation were discovered, indicating that people had begun to settle down at that time. - **Second Period**: Colored pottery appeared, marking the rise of the Yangshao Culture. The patterns on the colored pottery were complex and exquisite, reflecting the high artistic level and the initial formation of social division of labor at that time. - **Third Period**: A large number of ground stone tools were unearthed, proving the progress of agricultural production tools and the development of crop planting technology. - **Fourth Period**: Around 4800 BC to 4200 BC, the cultural relics of this period were scarce, but they still showed the further complexity of the social structure. - **Fifth Period**: Around 4100 BC to 3800 BC, some new cultural elements appeared, including the production of jade and bone tools, and traces of foreign trade exchanges. Academic Significance and Research Results The excavation of the Dadiwan Site greatly enriched the academic community's understanding of the development stages of prehistoric society in China. Through comparative analysis of the cultural layers of each period, scholars can outline the formation of early agricultural communities, changes in social structure, the development process of handicraft technology, and the context of cultural exchanges. In addition, some of the earliest artifacts found at the site, such as the earliest pottery, the earliest house site, and the earliest lacquerware, all provide key evidence for the study of early human lifestyles in China and even East Asia. Impact on Modern Society In addition to its academic research value, the Dadiwan Site has also had a profound impact on contemporary society. It has not only become a major highlight of the local tourism industry, attracting researchers and tourists from all over the world, promoting cultural and economic exchanges and development, but also enhancing people's awareness and pride in their own cultural roots. Through museum exhibitions, cultural festivals, and other forms, the Dadiwan Site allows the general public to have the opportunity to come into close contact with these ancient civilization relics, deepening the public's understanding of the importance of protecting historical and cultural heritage. Conclusion As a world-class cultural heritage, the Dadiwan Site not only witnessed the birth and development of China's early farming civilization, but also provided irreplaceable first-hand materials for fields such as anthropology, archaeology, and history. Its importance lies in making us realize that the foundation of Chinese civilization is profound and has a long history. Through the study of these ancient sites, we can better understand and cherish our cultural heritage, and also contribute wisdom and strength to the construction of a harmonious and coexistent global cultural ecology.