Foundations of civilization

However, some insightful people, like archaeologist Yan Wenming, an expert in Neolithic archaeology, saw the site's potential. Yan often said Nanzuo was of vital importance, but just how important had yet to be confirmed.

Yan's emphasis urged Han Jianye, a former student of his and a professor at Renmin University of China, to conduct a survey on the site in 2020, which led to a new round of archaeological studies. Last year, an archaeological team, led by Han, was formed by the Gansu Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology and Renmin University of China, among others.

Employing multidisciplinary methods, excavation, chronological studies and technological analysis of pottery, as well as flora and fauna and environmental archaeological studies, have since been undertaken.