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Introduction
Archaic Jade Ornaments of the Hongshan (紅山文化) and Pre-Hongshan (兴隆洼 / 赵宝沟) cultures
Official acceptance of the Hongshan culture (pinyin: hóngshan wénhuà), and with it the Neolithic cultures of the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region, dates back to 1935 when the Japanese Hamada Kosaku and Mizuno Seiichi start to unearth the Hongshanhou (pinyin: hóngshanhòu) site in Hongshan District, Chifeng, Inner Mongolia. The official discovery of the first Hongshan site however, dates back to 1908 when the Japanese archaeologist Torii Ryuzo discovered the Hongshan culture for the first time.
Today the area where Hongshan finds has been made includes more than three-hundred sites. Pre-Hongshan sites has been discovered more than two-hundred, stretching from south-western Inner Mongolia to western Liaoning of North-East China. Relatively few of this sites has yet been excavated and protected. Due to Randy Anderson from the La Trobe University, more than one hundred archaeological sites have thus far been identified as Xinglongwa, but only about ten have been excavated. In the case of Zhaobaogou sites, nearly one hundred have been identified so far, but, as with Xinglongwa sites, only about ten have been excavated. The Chifeng International Collaborative Archeological Research Project CICARP, studying neolithic regional settlement pattern in the Chifeng region and surrounding areas has located additional, previously undiscovered sites.
The Neolithic Hongshan and Pre-Hongshan cultures flourished between ca. 8000 (Chahai and Xinglongwa) and 2500 BCE (Hongshan, Xiaoheyan and Xiajiadian) in what is today north-eastern China and Inner Mongolia. The Xinglongwa culture of the Middle Neolitic Period (ca. 8000-6000 BCE) has already developed the art of jade processing as early as 7500 years ago, manufacturing ritual jade and stone carvings of extraordinary quality, long before the appearence of the well known Hongshan culture. Various materials other than nephrite has been used by the prehistoric artisans, such as bowenite, agate, crystal, turquoise and lapislazuli, only to name a few of the more important. Further systematic survey and excavations will yield proof of this, yet not well documented aspect. Considerable quantity of neolithic artifacts not made of jade has already appeared on the open market, comparitive analysis and the recognition of similarities with documented objects will help to advance future systematic studies.
The most important finds
Xinglongwa and Zhaobaogou Cultures 6000-4500 BCE. The most important sites associated with the Xinglongwa and Zhaobaogou Cultures include Xinglongwa and Xinglonggou in Aohanqi, Baiyinchanghan in Linxi County and Xibenbaoleng, and Honggelitu in Balinyouqi and Xiaoshandegou in Wengniuteqi. Hongshan at the site of Nantaizi in Keshiketengqi and at Nasitai in Balinyouqi.
Please consult our extensive bibliographical reference for further study or proceed to the exhibition.
Links to Private Hongshan Jade Collections
Chan-chi-hsuan - Taiwan
Aurora Art Museum - Taiwan
Hongshan club - Beijing
Links to Museum Jade Collections
National Palace Museum - Beijing
National Palace Museum - Taipei
Cleveland Museum of Art - USA
Östasiatiska museet - Stockholm
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