Photo: Courtesy of Shanxi Academy of Archaeology

A new Neolithic site covering a total area of more than 80,000 square meters has recently been discovered in Xinghua City, East China's Jiangsu Province. 

The site is called the Caoyangang Ruins. A large number of relics have been discovered, mainly pottery and bone pieces, were unearthed. Bone pieces that were discovered at the site are diverse and include interesting ancient gadgets such as bone hairpins, needles, si (a type of ancient farm tool) and also whistles. Most of them appeared to have been polished and carved with skill. 

Archaeologist Xue Ruiming told the Global Times that while artifacts made of bone are common to Neolithic site, these exquisitely designed relics are still rare and reveal "ancient Chinese people's ingenuity in craftsmanship and tool use." 

"The bone needle was used for sewing, while the bone si was used to turn over soil. Such artifacts may reflect the labor distribution of an ancient household where 'women sewed and men ploughed,'" Gan Huiyuan, the lead archaeologist of the Caoyangang project said. 

A stellar bone artifact discovered from the Caoyangang site is a semi-finished flute that is slightly larger than the palm of the hand. As an ancient instrument that was created 7,000 years ago, the flute shows that ancient Chinese people's leisure habits were enriched with an appreciation of art. 

Other than bone-made artifacts, a few pieces of rare wooden wares were also discovered such as a drill tool that experts identified was once used to make fires. Holes and fire burn marks can clearly be seen on the tool's surface. 

"Learning to use tools and designing tools are very clear signs showing ancient Chinese people transitioning from a primitive to a more civilized lifestyle," Xue noted. 

Animal and plants remains such as deer, pig, cattle and gorgon fruit were also discovered along with sea products such as the remains of musses and oyster shells. 

Global Times