Shimao, Neolithic ruined city in Shenmu, China
Shimao is a Neolithic archaeological site and ruined city near the Mu Us Desert in northern Shaanxi province, China, protected as a major national site. The remains include thick stone walls with gates and towers, and a large stepped pyramid built on a natural earthen hill at the center.
Shimao was built around 2300 BC and stood for roughly 500 years before being abandoned around 1800 BC. Researchers believe a shift toward a drier, cooler climate made the region harder to sustain, pushing people to migrate toward the central plains.
Pieces of jade were set directly into the stone walls of Shimao, likely for spiritual protection. Near the gates, relief carvings of snakes and half-human figures appear on the stonework, and similar images would later show up in other parts of ancient China.
The site is outside Shenmu and is most easily reached by private vehicle or hired car, as public transport options are limited. Wear sturdy shoes, as the ground is uneven around the walls and the central pyramid area.
For a long time, the stone walls of Shimao were assumed to be a remote stretch of the Great Wall. It was only when scientists examined them closely that they realized the structures predated the Great Wall by nearly 2,000 years.
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