Daxi Culture

The Daxi Culture was a Neolithic culture centered in Three Gorges, around the middle reach of the Yangtze River. The culture got its name because of the Daxi Heritage Site in Wushan County of Chongqing Municipality.

Daxi Culture could date back to the period from 4400 B.C. to 3300 B.C. Located at the southern part of Qutang Gorge in Wushan County, Daxi Culture Heritage Site can be found in the territory of Daxi Village. The site, rich in soil and endowed with natural beauty, is the ideal place to visit.

Heritage Sites of Daxi Culture

The heritage site of Daxi Culture in Wushan County was discovered by Nels C. Nelson in the 1920s. From 1959 to 1975, the site was excavated three times covering a total area of 682 square yards. As a result, more than 50 graves were found on the site. Among the cultural relics excavated from the site, there were potteries, stone wares, bone objects and jade artifacts. As the site differs in soil composition, pottery type and burial methods, it is divided into two layers. The upper layer is regarded as the late period of Daxi Culture and the lower layer is considered the early period of the culture. Similar relics have also been found in a section of Xiling Gorge. They all belong to the Daxi Culture.

Besides, there are more than 10 heritage sites of Daxi Culture has been found in Hunan and Hubei provinces, such as Honghuatao in Yidu, Guanmiao Mountain in Zhijiang, Maojia Mountain in Jiangling and so on.

Features of Daxi Culture

The pottery wares of Daxi Culture is typified by the red pottery. Some wares are grey inside and red outside because the firing method is different. The most popular patterns on the pottery wares are circle, rectangle and meniscus. The patterns are mainly at the bottom of the wares. Some big stone axes are also found at the heritage sites. The houses are mainl built with red soil and bamboo.

To learn about the ancient culture of the Neolithic Age, Daxi Culture Heritage Site is a good place to visit.