Chinese archaeologists uncover remains of prehistoric mass-production workshop

A team of Chinese archaeologists has made a significant discovery: a stone spindle whorl workshop dating back some 6,000 years has been found. According to Global Times, a partner of TV BRICS, the discovery provides new evidence of large-scale production in ancient times.

The find was made at the Doushan site in Jiangsu province, eastern China, a settlement located between the Yangtze River and Lake Taihu. The area covers around 250,000 square metres and mainly preserves remains of the Majiabang and, later, Songze cultures, both from the Neolithic period.

Among the objects found, the large number of unfinished stone spindle whorls –around 300 pieces – caught the experts’ attention. According to the researchers, this number indicates the existence of a production workshop, as it would exceed the community’s daily needs. Furthermore, analyses show that most of the raw material was extracted locally and processed on site.

Experts noted the stone spindle whorls were not only used as tools by the inhabitants but also as trade goods with other tribes. The discovery, therefore, not only highlights the technical skill of the Majiabang culture’s populations but also suggests the existence of primitive trade 6,000 years ago.