5,000-year-old urban center discovered at Nanzuo Site with earliest central axis. Nanzuo Site in Gansu dates to approximately 5,100 to 4,700 years ago Recognized as prime type site for Yangshao culture Covers around 6 million square meters with multi-layered settlement structure
Archaeologists have uncovered a sophisticated 5,000-year-old Yangshao culture urban center at Nanzuo in Gansu, covering 6 million square meters. A 690 m² palace building sits at the heart of what appears to be the earliest central axis layout in ancient Chinese settlement planning, flanked by nine symmetrical rammed earth terraces. The site reveals the earliest bricks, adobe, and lime plaster in China — evidence of specialized labor and social stratification. A 74 cm painted clay jar and turquoise artifacts suggest long-distance exchange networks were already thriving.
Key Facts
- Nanzuo Site in Gansu dates to approximately 5,100 to 4,700 years ago
- Recognized as prime type site for Yangshao culture
- Covers around 6 million square meters with multi-layered settlement structure
- Palace-style building covers 690 square meters forming earliest central axis of capital settlement in ancient China
- Nine symmetrical rammed earth terraces surround the palace, one standing nearly 3 meters above ground
- Discovery of earliest bricks, adobe, and lime plaster demonstrates specialized labor and social stratification
- 74 cm tall painted clay jar and turquoise indicate advanced craftsmanship and long-distance exchange
- Carbonized rice evidence shows agricultural development
- Red-dyed stone and bone arrows found, possibly origin of later dynastic practice
Related site: Nanzuo Site — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: 10 Discoveries That Rewrote Chinese History in 2025 by Inside Archaeology