After years of careful planning, the Zhengzhou City Dahecun Site Museum in Central China’s Henan Province is scheduled to begin trial operations on Saturday, according to an official announcement from the Culture and Tourism Department of Henan Province.
Spanning 7,292 square meters of exhibition space, the museum features more than 1,600 meticulously curated artifacts. The exhibition adopts a layered narrative structure, starting with a global perspective on riverine civilizations, narrowing to Chinese river cultures, and culminating in a focused exploration of the Yangshao culture and the archaeological significance of the Dahecun site itself. The displays aim to provide an immersive view of a vibrant civilization that thrived between 7,000 and 5,000 years ago.
Situated in the southwestern section of Dahecun village in Zhengzhou’s northeastern suburbs, the archaeological site is rich with cultural layers from the Yangshao and Longshan cultures, and also contains relics from the Erlitou culture and the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600 BC–1046 BC). Recognized as one of the foundational sites of Chinese civilization, Dahecun reflects the broader evolution of early Chinese culture—from its formative roots through to the emergence of the Xia (c. 2070 BC–c. 1600 BC) and Shang dynasties.
Often referred to as “the village beneath the starry sky,” the site is renowned for pottery painted with celestial motifs, such as suns, moons, solar halos, and comets—symbols of ancient Chinese interpretations of the cosmos.
According to Dai Jiancang, deputy director of the museum, Dahecun uniquely records all seven phases of the Yangshao culture’s development. Among the site’s significant findings are 2,458 fragments of painted pottery bearing intricate designs including straight lines, dots, stars, and celestial imagery.
One notable artifact is a double-bellied painted pottery vessel, standing 20 centimeters tall. Made from red clay with black slip, it is believed to have been used by clan leaders or elders during alliance ceremonies or communal celebrations, symbolizing unity and peace.
Another standout discovery is a white-painted pottery basin, hailed as a rare masterpiece of prehistoric Chinese ceramic art. The basin features symmetrical decorations including 12 sun motifs and 24 interlinked triangles forming a radiant pattern. Notably, the basin exhibits early forms of repair—methods strikingly similar to the “staple” techniques that only appeared much later in history.
Also uncovered at the site is an exceptionally well-preserved residential structure from the Yangshao period. The “three-room, one-hall” foundation, built with a wooden frame and clay walls, covers 50 square meters and is the best-preserved prehistoric house of its kind in China. Unlike the more common circular or semi-subterranean dwellings from the period, this structure showcases a significant architectural evolution, providing a prototype for traditional northern Chinese housing.
“This wooden framework construction not only laid the groundwork for architectural traditions in northern China but also represents a major milestone in the history of Chinese architecture,” said Zhao Congcang, a professor at the School of Cultural Heritage at Northwest University.
As the Dahecun Site Museum prepares to welcome the public, visitors will have the opportunity to delve into a rich tapestry of early Chinese civilization—its art, architecture, culture, and ingenuity—offering a rare glimpse into life beneath the ancient stars.
