Palace complex dating from China’s earliest known Xia dynasty unearthed in C. China

Photo: Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology/Xinhua News Agency

A four-courtyard style palace complex dating back to the Xia Dynasty (2070BC-1600BC), China's earliest known dynasty, has been unearthed in Xinmi, Central China's Henan Province, shedding new light on the origin of palace architecture of the era, according to a report by the Xinhua News Agency.

The Guchengzhai site, located on a plateau east of the Zhen River in Xinmi, spans a total of over 176,000 square meters. From 2021 to 2023, staff from the Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology conducted systematic surveys and targeted excavations in both the inner and key outer areas of the site, yielding a series of significant achievements.

Among the discoveries, the "No.1" rammed-earth platform has a relatively large scale, with an area of about 1,800 square meters. Its surface is relatively flat. The elongated rectangular structure, approximately 60 meters in length and 30 meters in width, boasts a complex layout with a higher central section surrounded by orderly arranged column holes.

"From the distribution pattern of the column holes, it can be observed that the overall structure of this rammed earth platform is oriented north-south, with rooms arranged in rows, a central courtyard, and corridors on the east and west sides. It has a grand scale and complex structure," said Li Bo, the on-site director of the excavation.

On the eastern side of the No. 1 rammed-earth platform, archaeologists have also discovered another rammed-earth relic. Currently, part of it has been unveiled, measuring approximately 25 meters in length from north to south and about 10 meters in width from east to west. It is believed to belong to the same architectural complex as the No. 1 rammed-earth platform.

"Considering previous archaeological excavations, the central-eastern area of the Guchengzhai is identified as the core palace zone," noted Li, adding that "the newly discovered No. 1 rammed earth platform and the rammed earth remains in the eastern part, together with previously found palace foundations and corridor bases, collectively forming a four-courtyard style architectural complex in terms of the overall layout."

"This new discovery reshapes our understanding of the inner layout of the Guchengzhai site and provides crucial new evidence for exploring the origin and development of palace architecture during the Xia Dynasty," remarked Li.

Future archaeological endeavors will delve deeper into the nature, construction context, and distinctive features of the No. 1 rammed earth platform. Researchers also plan to conduct comprehensive investigations into the scale and layout of the palace core area, as well as the surrounding road systems, according to the report.

Global Times