Dadiwan
Neolithic Yangshao (5800–3000 BCE; classic 5000–3000 BCE)·Yangshao (Dadiwan culture, Painted Pottery)·🇨🇳 Gansu, Qinan County, Shao Dian village, Dadiwan terrace (Wei River), China
About
About Dadiwan
Dadiwan is the type site of Yangshao Dadiwan culture (5800–3000 BCE) on the Wei River terrace — 50-ha Neolithic village with 200+ house pits, painted pottery, and the 290-m² Palace F901 (4000 BCE, China's earliest palace).
Why it mattersKey Yangshao (Dadiwan culture, Painted Pottery) ancient-village with stratified sequence and regional trade significance.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre
- 02Territorial marker
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.5800 BCE
- Period
- Neolithic Yangshao (5800–3000 BCE; classic 5000–3000 BCE)
- Culture
- Yangshao (Dadiwan culture, Painted Pottery)
- Purpose
- Ancient city and ceremonial centre
- Abandoned
- 13th century
- Rediscovered
- 1970s excavation
- Excavation
- Excavated
On the ground
Structures & features
35.0500° N · 105.9500° E · 1300 m · 3 mapped features
Palace F901
structure290 m² palace with 9 postholes and cement floor (4000 BCE)
35.0503° N · 105.9503° EPainted Pottery Kiln
workshopKiln with fish-pattern painted pottery
35.0497° N · 105.9497° EMillet Storage Pits
middenPaddy pits with millet husks, 5800 BCE
35.0500° N · 105.9508° E