Jiahu

Jiahu is an archaeological site in Henan, China, covering five and a half hectares and preserving Neolithic remains. Researchers uncovered residential buildings, kilns, storage pits, and graves that paint a vivid picture of a settled community thousands of years ago.

Excavations began in 1979 and brought to light a settlement founded around 7000 BCE. The finds show early forms of rice farming and animal keeping that shaped human life in this region for thousands of years.

The seven-hole bone flutes found here show that people living nine thousand years ago already understood musical scales and made music together. The decorated pottery carries patterns that came from daily work with plants and animals, giving a window into how this early community saw the world.

The site sits in a rural setting, so sturdy footwear is advisable when visiting the excavation grounds. Research work continues, so some areas may be closed to the public.

Chemical analysis of pottery shards revealed traces of fermented drinks, making this the oldest known location for the production of alcoholic beverages. The residues show that people here already understood fermentation and storage around nine thousand years ago.