Nanzhuangtou

Nanzhuangtou is a significant Initial Neolithic archaeological site located near Lake Baiyangdian in Xushui County, Hebei, China. Dating back to approximately 10,700 to 9,500 BCE, it represents the earliest known Neolithic settlement in northern China. The site was discovered beneath a peat bog and contains over 47 pieces of pottery, along with stone grinding slabs, rollers, and bone artifacts. Evidence from the site indicates the presence of domestic dogs as early as 10,000 years ago, and it is one of the earliest sites showing millet cultivation. The cultural layers of Nanzhuangtou reveal a rich array of animal bones, charcoal, and stone tools, offering insights into the subsistence practices of the early Neolithic inhabitants.