Qujialing site: Testament to prehistoric civilization development in Hubei

The Qujialing site in Jingmen, Hubei province, where Qujialing Culture was discovered and after which it was named, dates back 4,200 to 5,900 years and is a significant Neolithic settlement with over 10 archaeological spots.

In 2023, the discovery of the Xiongjialing and Zhengfan hydrological systems at the site provided evidence for large-scale prehistoric water control. The Xiongjialing system comprising components including a dam, reservoir zone, irrigation zone, and spillway, is the most comprehensive prehistoric hydrological system known to date in China.

Archaeological excavations at this site from 2020 to 2023 confirmed a high-level architectural area associated with Qujialing Culture, represented by building F38. A significant number of finely crafted "sangdun" (subterranean foundation) were discovered, indicating the earliest form found in China.

The discoveries at the Qujialing site serve as valuable evidence for studying the development of prehistoric civilization in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River.