Exploration on Jade Culture in West Liaohe River Basin in the Neolithic Age

摘要

Many cultural relics of the Neolithic Age have been found in West Liaohe River Basin, among which the earliest known Chinese jade artifacts have been unearthed in Xinglongwa Site, providing evidence for people to explore the source of Chinese jade culture. A large number of jade artifacts were unearthed in Hongshan Culture, and the animal-shaped jade objects were mostly represented by deification. This paper studies archaeological briefs and related historical materials and finds that jade objects were not found in every tomb, but more in the tombs of nobles or clerics. This indicates that jade wares appeared at this time as product of social differentiation, and assumed the responsibility of distinguishing the noble from the inferior and identifying identity. It also proves that there is an inseparable connection between prehistoric jade in Western Liaoning and primitive worship. It can be said that jade was the medium through which primitive ancestors communicated with the gods.