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Time of India

5,000-year-old royal tomb may prove China had kings before dynasties began

There's something unusual and powerful about ancient discoveries, as they remind us that long before our modern world, societies had already begun shaping human history. Every time archaeologists find a lost city, burial site, or forgotten artifact, it's like uncovering a missing page from the story of civilization. One such exceptional find has recently come to light in central China, where archaeologists found a 5,000-year-old royal tomb that may once have belonged to a prehistoric king. This finding could be a major clue to understanding early Chinese civilization. Origins of a prehistoric kingdom Archaeologists excavating in Jiyuan City's Wangzhuang ruins have discovered Tomb M27, a monumental burial dating back roughly 5,000 years and tied to the late Neolithic Dawenkou Culture dating back to 4000–2600 BCE. Stretching about 4.8 meters long by 3.6 meters wide, over 17 square meters total, it's one of the largest tombs from this era, suggesting it belonged to someone of extraordinary importance. Inside, archaeologists discovered upwards of 350 burial items: nearly 200 jade ornaments, more than 100 pottery pieces, bone tools, and pig mandibles, which are seen as a prehistoric symbol of prosperity. As per reports bt the Daily Galaxy, senior archaeologist Liu Haiwang noted, 'The richness of the burial objects is closely linked to the size of the tombs, indicating that a clear social hierarchy and class stratification had already emerged'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Book Your Daily Profit By 11 AM With This Superclass By Mr. Bala TradeWise Learn More Undo It might be a prehistoric Capital Lead archaeologist Zhu Guanghua, of Capital Normal University, revealed that unexpected damage to M27 soon after burial suggests rival factions desecrated the tomb, as most of the remains were removed, ceremonial objects broken, and only a few toe bones remained. He argues, 'The latest discovery indicates that the Wangzhuang ruins are not an ordinary settlement, but rather the capital of a prehistoric kingdom' he said as per reports by . Cultural Melting Pot Artifacts from M27 and elsewhere across the site also tell about Wangzhuang's wide connections. Influences from eastern and central Chinese regions, as well as the Yangtze River basin, suggest this was a hub of early cultural exchange. Li Xinwei from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences said, 'Its discoveries testify to the initial exchanges of early Chinese civilization, providing evidence for the nature of diversity within Chinese civilization', as per reports by . Some burials also showed region-specific items like water-deer teeth and small-mouthed jars, indicating local ritual traditions, which remain unidentified as of now. The large variety and numerous artifacts, including exquisite pottery, jade, and ceremonial tools, indicate advanced craftsmanship, labour specialisation, and early organizational structures that go before the Bronze Age societies.