Taosi, an archaeological site in Xiangfen County, north China's Shanxi Province, was recognized as one of the Top 100 Archaeological Discoveries of the Century in October 2021. Situated in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, it stands as the cradle of Chinese civilization with its distinctive cultural footprint. Its grand scale and complete elements as a capital city make it a significant cultural hub of the Central Plains over 4,000 years ago.

Alongside Liangzhu in Zhejiang, Shimao in Shaanxi and Erlitou in Henan, Taosi is recognized among the four major urban centers in the exploration of the origins of Chinese civilization.

Significance of Taosi

Before the Xia Dynasty (c. 2070–c. 1600 BCE), the three revered tribal alliance leaders Yao, Shun and Yu emerged successively in the Yellow River basin. Their stories, steeped in myth, are recorded in ancient texts such as the Records of the Grand Historian and the Book of Documents.

The discovery of the Taosi site and its relics confirms that these rulers are not merely mythical but part of real Chinese history. The location and scope of the Taosi site correspond with historical accounts of Jizhou, where the capitals of Yao, Shun and Yu were situated.

Taosi dates to 4,300–3,900 years ago, predating the Xia Dynasty established by Yu around 2070 BCE.

Unearthed in 1958 and designated a provincial-level cultural heritage site the following year, the Taosi site gained increased attention with the rise of interest in Xia culture. The Institute of Archaeology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences conducted extensive surveys in the area, uncovering distinctive local pottery, including cauldron stoves, fat-footed tripods and flat pots.

A bird's-eye view of the Taosi site in Xiangfen County, north China's Shanxi Province.