Definition: The Middle Neolithic archaeological site of Dadiwan is located within the upper reaches of the Yellow River near Shaodian in Qi'nan county, Gansu province of China. The enormous site covers an area of over a million square meters; excavations to date have uncovered 240 house foundations, 35 pottery kilns, portions of 12 irrigation ditches, 71 tombs, 325 storage/refuse pits, and more than 8000 artifacts and over 17,000 faunal artifacts.
Radiocarbon dates indicate that Dadiwan was occupied between 5850 and 2950 BC, with substantial occupations of the Dadiwan culture (5850-5350 BC), early Yangshao (4550-3950 BC), later Yangshao (3950-3550 BC), and Banpo (3550-2950 BC) periods.
Radiocarbon dates indicate that Dadiwan was occupied between 5850 and 2950 BC, with substantial occupations of the Dadiwan culture (5850-5350 BC), early Yangshao (4550-3950 BC), later Yangshao (3950-3550 BC), and Banpo (3550-2950 BC) periods.
Sources
Yang, Xiaoneng. 2004 Essay 16, Dadiwan Site at Qin'an, Gansu Province. Pp. 44-46, Volume II, Yang, Xiaoneng, ed. Chinese Archaeology in the Twentieth Century: New Perspectives on China's Past. Yale University Press, New Haven.
Zhongpei, Zhang. 2004 The formation of ancient civlization in China. Pp. 77-97, volume I, in Yang, Xiaoneng, ed. Chinese Archaeology in the Twentieth Century: New Perspectives on China's Past. Yale University Press, New Haven.
This glossary entry is part of the Dictionary of Archaeology. Any mistakes are the responsibility of Kris Hirst.
