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Study published by the Chinese Academy of Sciences in the journal Nature analyzed DNA from 144 individuals found in Shimao and revealed that the mysterious 4,000-year-old Chinese city was built by a local population linked to the cradle of Chinese civilization, in addition to exposing details about male hierarchy, contacts with northern peoples, and human sacrifice rituals
The ruins of Shimao, found in 2012, are located in the present-day Shaanxi province, near the Yellow River, and flourished between 2300 BC and 1800 BC.
This prehistoric urban center had large walls, covered about 4 km², and featured a central palace linked to local elites.
However, the city has always intrigued researchers because it is located further north than the main Chinese Neolithic cultures.
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According to scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, a study published in the journal Nature analyzed DNA from 144 people who lived in Shimao and its surroundings between 4,800 and 3,600 years ago.
Ancient DNA reveals origin of builders
Genetic analysis showed that the inhabitants of Shimao had already been living in that region for at least 1,000 years before the city’s construction.
Therefore, those responsible for the walled city were a local population, not an entirely external group.
At the same time, researchers identified kinship with the Yangshao culture, which inhabited the Central Plains between 6000 BC and 3000 BC.
This region, located between the Yellow and Yangtze rivers, is considered the cradle of Chinese civilization.
Thus, the study indicates that the people of Shimao had roots in this cultural center further south.
Later, this group migrated north and founded a fortified city that deviated from the known pattern of prehistoric China.
Stone city stood out from neighboring cultures
Shimao’s location was one of the main mysteries for archaeologists.
While other Neolithic cultures developed in the Central Plains, Shimao grew in an area considered more remote.
Later, this same region would be associated with the construction of the Great Wall, used by Chinese dynasties against northern peoples.
In addition to its unusual position, Shimao’s architecture also stood out.
The city was built primarily with carved stone, while other communities of the time used rammed earth in their structures.
Therefore, Shimao seemed like an outlier in ancient Chinese history.
Society had power concentrated in the male lineage
The study also revealed details about the city’s social organization.
The analyzed individuals were found in tombs with up to four generations, which allowed for the reconstruction of family ties.
With this, scientists identified a patrilineal and patrilocal structure.
That is, power and status were passed down from father to son.
Furthermore, wives moved to live with their husbands’ families.
Therefore, Shimao presented a society marked by hierarchy, local elites, and strong male control.
Contacts with northern peoples also appear in the study
Along with the connection to the Yangshao culture, researchers found genetic contributions from steppe peoples to the north.
However, this contact seemed limited.
Still, cultural similarities appeared in ceramics and bronze artifacts found in the region.
Thus, Shimao was not entirely isolated.
The city maintained ties with populations from the south and also with groups located to the north.
Human sacrifices reveal distinct rituals
The study published in Nature also reinforced evidence of large-scale human sacrifices.
Previous excavations had already found 80 human skulls buried under one of the city’s gates.
Previously, it was believed that most victims were women.
However, DNA revealed that 9 out of 10 analyzed skulls belonged to men.
On the other hand, researchers also found evidence of women among the sacrifices in two cemeteries of the city.
Thus, the study suggests that Shimao performed different and sex-specific rituals.
Does the discovery change the understanding of Shimao?
Experts evaluate that genetic data helps reposition Shimao within the history of ancient China.
The city no longer appears to be just an isolated exception in the north of the country.
Now, it emerges as a complex urban center, connected to the Central Plains and marked by social hierarchy, male elite, and intense ritual practices.
Meanwhile, the discovery also reinforces how ancient DNA can answer questions that traditional archaeology could not yet clarify.
After all, if a stone city hid so many secrets 4,000 years ago, how many other answers about the origin of Chinese civilization might still be buried?
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