Jingtoushan Site, Prehistoric shell mound archaeological site in Yuyao City, China.
Jingtoushan is a prehistoric shell mound in coastal Yuyao with layers of debris and artifacts from human settlements dating back 8,300 years. Excavations have uncovered pottery, stone and bone tools, wooden implements, and traces of food preparation and daily activities.
The site was established around 8,300 years ago by people who combined coastal fishing and farming. Major excavations in 2019 uncovered lacquerware fragments aged 8,200 years, marking the oldest known examples ever found in China.
The site displays pottery and bone tools that reveal how early inhabitants worked and used resources from their surroundings. These objects tell the story of daily skills and knowledge that shaped life in this coastal settlement.
The location sits in a coastal region where weather can be damp, so come prepared with appropriate clothing. Parts of the site are covered with protective steel structures that allow researchers to work while safeguarding the archaeological remains.
Researchers found evidence that early inhabitants here farmed rice and caught fish at the same time, using both land and sea resources. This mixed approach shows how communities adapted to their coastal setting for year-round survival.
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