Xichengyi culture | |
Majorsites: | Xichengyi, Ganggangwa, Huoshiliang |
Region: | Gansu, China |
Dates: | 2,000-1,600 BCE |
Precededby: | Majiayao culture (3,300–2,000 BCE) |
Followedby: | Siba culture (1,600–1,300 BCE)[1] Shajing culture (800–200 BCE) Han Dynasty (202 BCE–220 CE) |
The Xichengyi culture (Ch:西城驿文化) was an ancient culture in the central Heihe River region of the Hexi corridor, from 2,000 to 1,600 BCE.[2] It is contemporary with the Qijia culture to its southeast. It succeeded the Majiayao culture (2,300–2,000 BCE) in the area, and preceded the Siba culture.[1]
Some of its important archaeological sites are Xichengyi, Ganggangwa (where there are also some earlier Machang culture remains), and Huoshiliang (exclusively Xichengyi culture).[2]
The Xichengyi culture practiced bronze smelting extensively, as seen by the quantity of slabs and furnace material (adobe constructions with blast pipes).[3] The copper ore was from the neighbouring Beishan Mountain.[3]