Finding at Shimao Settlement

Female sacrifice ⁢in China occurred⁣ thousands of years earlier than previously thought,according‍ to a study analyzing ancient ⁣DNA. Evidence from elite burials at the Shimao settlement in ⁣northwestern China also suggests the existence ‌of an early hierarchical society, with ‍gender playing a role in⁤ the type of sacrificial ritual performed.

Shimao, located in Shaanxi ‌province’s Yellow River valley, is one of the largest prehistoric settlements​ discovered in⁤ China, dating back to the late Neolithic period -‍ approximately 3,800 to 4,300 years ago. The site covers roughly 4 square kilometers (1.5 square miles).

DNA Analysis and Ritual Differentiation

Researchers ⁤sequenced the genomes of over 100 individuals from⁣ Shimao and surrounding sites. The analysis revealed a pattern: mass burials, potentially for public rituals, primarily ⁣contained the remains of males. Conversely,‌ individuals buried alongside nobles or elites were overwhelmingly female. This suggests distinct sacrificial practices based on social status and⁢ gender.

The research team, comprised of Chinese archaeologists and anthropologists, published their findings in the peer-reviewed journal Nature on November 29, 2023. They concluded that the data points ⁤to a‌ predominantly patrilineal descent structure ‍within Shimao communities ‌and the existence of sex-specific sacrificial rituals. Nature – Sex-specific ritual practices and patrilineal structure at the Neolithic site of Shimao

Shimao: A State-Level Society

The Shimao site, situated between the Loess Plateau and the Ordos Desert, exhibits ⁤characteristics of early state-level societies. ‌These⁤ include evidence of craft production, considerable fortifications, and critically important social stratification, as demonstrated by the prevalence of human ⁢sacrifice. The ​scale of the site and its features indicate ⁣a complex social association.