A discussion of the astronomical observation relic at the Taosi site: Querying the present interpretation of the rammed earth structures excavated in IIFJT1 of the Taosi site excavation, Shanxi Province, China

IF 0.9 2区历史学 0 ARCHAEOLOGY

Archaeological Research in Asia Pub Date : 2025-04-01 DOI:10.1016/j.ara.2025.100617

Kejia Huang

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Abstract

The Taosi site, located in Xiangfen, Shanxi Province, is a significant late Neolithic archaeological site, which is widely regarded as a central area of early Chinese civilization. Among its most notable discoveries is a large rammed-earth platform, initially identified as China's earliest astronomical observatory. However, the specific function of this structure remains a topic of ongoing scholarly debate. This study reassesses the platform's function through a comprehensive analysis of its spatial location, the relationship to adjacent structures, its construction techniques, and its associated groove features. The findings reveal that the eastern wall obstructs the view of the rising sun, and the platform's position against the wall precludes sunset observations, which challenges the traditional interpretation of its use as astronomical observation and timekeeping. The structural continuity between the platform and the wall suggests that they may belong to the same category of construction. Furthermore, the analysis of the grooves suggests that their formation is likely related to rammed-earth construction methods, mechanical considerations, or subsequent erosion, thereby weakening the argument that these features were designed for astronomical observation. This study offers a fresh perspective on the function of the platform, contributing to a deeper understanding of the Taosi site's actual purpose. This study seeks to advance the ongoing study of the Taosi site by providing new insights into the structure, with the aim of fostering further academic discussion.

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来源期刊

Archaeological Research in Asia ARCHAEOLOGY-

CiteScore

2.50

自引率

13.30%

发文量

期刊介绍： Archaeological Research in Asia presents high quality scholarly research conducted in between the Bosporus and the Pacific on a broad range of archaeological subjects of importance to audiences across Asia and around the world. The journal covers the traditional components of archaeology: placing events and patterns in time and space; analysis of past lifeways; and explanations for cultural processes and change. To this end, the publication will highlight theoretical and methodological advances in studying the past, present new data, and detail patterns that reshape our understanding of it. Archaeological Research in Asia publishes work on the full temporal range of archaeological inquiry from the earliest human presence in Asia with a special emphasis on time periods under-represented in other venues. Journal contributions are of three kinds: articles, case reports and short communications. Full length articles should present synthetic treatments, novel analyses, or theoretical approaches to unresolved issues. Case reports present basic data on subjects that are of broad interest because they represent key sites, sequences, and subjects that figure prominently, or should figure prominently, in how scholars both inside and outside Asia understand the archaeology of cultural and biological change through time. Short communications present new findings (e.g., radiocarbon dates) that are important to the extent that they reaffirm or change the way scholars in Asia and around the world think about Asian cultural or biological history.