Xishanping

Xishanping, located in Gansu, China, is a significant archaeological site that was occupied continuously from the Neolithic through the Bronze Age. It stands approximately 50 meters above the riverbed on the southern bank of the Xi River. The site is notable for its diverse agricultural system, showcasing the earliest and largest diversity of staple crops found in China from 4650 to 3000 BP. Notable crops include wheat, barley, oat, rice, foxtail millet, broomcorn millet, buckwheat, and soybean. Xishanping marks the earliest site for the introduction of several Western Asia staple crops to China, likely through the Hexi Corridor. Despite this diversity, the inhabitants primarily relied on rainfed agriculture. This site provides critical insights into early agricultural practices and cross-cultural exchanges in ancient China.