Representatives of China's top new archaeological discoveries in 2024 receive certificates at an annual forum in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Li He)

Six significant archaeological sites in China were named the top new discoveries in 2024, announced Wednesday at an annual forum hosted by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

The Dadong paleolithic site in Helong City, Jilin Province, is among the honorees. This site is the largest and most culturally rich Upper Paleolithic discovery in northeast Asia, renowned for providing the region's clearest and oldest cultural sequences.

The Xiatang neolithic site in Xianju County, Zhejiang Province, is also on the list. This site is crucial evidence of China's 10,000-year cultural history, providing new material for the study of regional cultural evolution and the history of rice farming.

Another major discovery is the Wuwangdun Tomb in Huainan City, Anhui Province. This tomb is the largest, highest-ranking, and most complex burial site from the ancient Chu state, dating back over 2,200 years. The excavation offers valuable insights into burial practices and the culture of the Chu state, especially following its migration eastward.

Other honored sites include the Siwa site in Gansu Province, which features a Majiayao culture settlement dating back about 5,000 years; the Zhouyuan site in Shaanxi Province, known for its large rammed-earth structures from the pre-Zhou Dynasty period; and the Jingdezhen ceramic industry sites in Jiangxi Province, which span more than 600 years and encompass the Yuan (1271-1368), Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1636-1912) dynasties.

The forum, first held in 2002, serves as a platform for announcing and exchanging the latest archaeological achievements and findings in China. 

Representatives of shortlisted projects and foreign archaeological projects receive certificates at an annual forum in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Li He)

This photo shows a scene during an annual forum hosted by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 19, 2025.(Xinhua/Li He)

This undated file combo photo shows bronze wares unearthed from the Wuwangdun Tomb in Huainan City, east China's Anhui Province. Six significant archaeological sites in China were named the top new discoveries in 2024, announced Wednesday at an annual forum hosted by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. (The Archaeology Journal/Handout via Xinhua)

This undated file photo shows the relics of a road and a water pipe in the Zhouyuan site in Baoji City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (The Archaeology Journal/Handout via Xinhua)

This undated file combo photo shows the stone artifacts (L) unearthed from the Dadong paleolithic site in Helong City, northeast China's Jilin Province and their details. (The Archaeology Journal/Handout via Xinhua)

This diagram shows the Zhouyuan site in Baoji City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province.  (The Archaeology Journal/Handout via Xinhua)

This undated file photo shows the stone artifacts unearthed from the Dadong paleolithic site in Helong City, northeast China's Jilin Province.  (The Archaeology Journal/Handout via Xinhua)

This undated file photo shows the relics of a kiln in Qing Dynasty (1636-1912) in Jingdezhen City of east China's Jiangxi Province.  (The Archaeology Journal/Handout via Xinhua)

This undated file photo shows the relics of a structure in the Zhouyuan site in Baoji City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province.  (The Archaeology Journal/Handout via Xinhua)

This diagram shows the excavation spots in the year of 2024 of the Jingdezhen ceramic industry sites in Jingdezhen City, east China's Jiangxi Province.  (The Archaeology Journal/Handout via Xinhua)

This undated file combo photo shows the jade wares unearthed from the Wuwangdun Tomb in Huainan City, east China's Anhui Province.  (The Archaeology Journal/Handout via Xinhua)

This undated file photo shows a view in the Xiatang neolithic site in Xianju County, east China's Zhejiang Province.  (The Archaeology Journal/Handout via Xinhua)

This restoration diagram shows the original appearance of Xiatang neolithic site in Xianju County, east China's Zhejiang Province. (The Archaeology Journal/Handout via Xinhua)

This undated file combo photo shows oracle bones with inscriptions unearthed from the Zhouyuan site in Baoji City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province and their copies. (The Archaeology Journal/Handout via Xinhua)

This undated file combo photo shows sectional views of the Siwa site in Lintao County, northwest China's Gansu Province.  (The Archaeology Journal/Handout via Xinhua)

This undated file combo photo shows relics unearthed from the Xiatang neolithic site in Xianju County, east China's Zhejiang Province.  (The Archaeology Journal/Handout via Xinhua)

This topographic map shows the spots of main discoveries of the Siwa site in Lintao County, northwest China's Gansu Province.  (The Archaeology Journal/Handout via Xinhua)

This undated file photo shows a piece of porcelain unearthed in Jingdezhen City of east China's Jiangxi Province. (The Archaeology Journal/Handout via Xinhua)

This image shows a wooden coffin chamber in the Wuwangdun Tomb in Huainan City, east China's Anhui Province. (The Archaeology Journal/Handout via Xinhua)

This undated file photo shows the stone artifacts unearthed from the Xiatang neolithic site in Xianju County, east China's Zhejiang Province.  (The Archaeology Journal/Handout via Xinhua)

This undated file combo photo shows the potteries unearthed from the Siwa site in Lintao County, northwest China's Gansu Province.  (The Archaeology Journal/Handout via Xinhua)

This undated file photo shows the relics of a port in Qing Dynasty (1636-1912) in Fuliang County, Jingdezhen City of east China's Jiangxi Province.  (The Archaeology Journal/Handout via Xinhua)

This undated file photo shows the stone artifacts unearthed from the Dadong paleolithic site in Helong City, northeast China's Jilin Province.  (The Archaeology Journal/Handout via Xinhua)

This undated file photo shows the bone implements unearthed from the Dadong paleolithic site in Helong City, northeast China's Jilin Province. (The Archaeology Journal/Handout via Xinhua)

This undated file photo shows the potteries unearthed from the Siwa site in Lintao County, northwest China's Gansu Province.  (The Archaeology Journal/Handout via Xinhua)

This undated file photo shows inscriptions discovered in the Wuwangdun Tomb in Huainan City, east China's Anhui Province.  (The Archaeology Journal/Handout via Xinhua)

Source: Xinhua
Editor: Lyu Yun