Chimei Lithic Workshops

The Chimei Lithic Workshops are Neolithic stone tool production sites scattered across Chimei Island in Penghu County, Taiwan, dating to 3,800-4,500 years ago. Located at Nankang, Tunghu, and Hsihu villages, these workshops processed local basalt into adzes and other tools. Chemical analysis has established a direct link between Penghu basalt adzes and artifacts found on Taiwan's southwest coast, demonstrating systematic maritime trade of stone tools beginning at least 4,000 years ago. The workshops contain only lithic debris, reflecting their function as specialized stone mining and preparation sites.