This photo taken on Jan. 7, 2025 shows the fireboard of a fire-drilling toolset unearthed at Caoyangang archaeological site in east China's Jiangsu Province. Photo: Xinhua News Agency

A fire-drilling toolset dating back about 7,000 years has been unearthed at the Canyangang site in East China's Jiangsu Province. This discovery yielded the earliest known physical evidence of fire-making technology found in the country to date, reported the Xinhua News Agency.

"This toolset is not only the longest found at the site but also the most well-preserved fire-drilling equipment discovered to date in China," said Gan Huiyuan, a researcher at the provincial institute of cultural relics and archaeology, who is the head of the excavation team at the Caoyangang site.

Archaeologists noted that the discovery suggests that early humans had transitioned from preserving natural fire sources to exploring artificial fire-making methods. By using fire-drilling tools, they could obtain and utilize fire more efficiently, according to the report.

The drill stick measures over 60 centimeters in length, while the fireboard is 30 centimeters long. The brown artifact has more than 10 deep black circular indentations on its surface, showing clear signs of scorching.

Additionally, a circular groove, likely used for tying a rope, was found on one end of the fireboard, suggesting that it was designed for easy carrying or hanging.

"The preservation of wooden materials for thousands of years is rare, and it is even more remarkable in a humid environment like Jiangsu. This is a fortunate find in archaeological research," Liu Zheng, a member of the Chinese Society of Cultural Relics, told the Global Times on Sunday, adding that "This discovery provides key insights into the origins of Chinese civilization."

Ancient Chinese mythology includes legends about fire being made by drilling wood and using the resulting friction to generate heat for fire. 

Since the excavation began, multiple fire-drilling tools have been discovered in the area. The archaeological site also yielded a collection of oak and pistachio wood, suitable for construction.  

Shi Yanyan, a member at the Jiangsu Institute of Archaeology, said the site features remains such as ash pits, house foundations, and fences. "Ancient inhabitants had already developed a certain level of skill in utilizing and processing wood," Shi said.

The Caoyangang site spans over 80,000 square meters, dating back about 7,000 years. Since 2022, the Jiangsu Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology and Nanjing Museum have been excavating the site. More than 3,000 items, including pottery, bone tools, wooden objects, animal remains from deer, pigs, cattle, dogs, and various birds and aquatic plant remains, have been discovered.

The site showcases the way of life of early inhabitants, shedding light on the prehistoric cultural and social landscape of the Huaihe River's lower reaches. This is an important part of China's diverse yet unified prehistoric cultural framework, Gan said.

This photo taken on Jan. 7, 2025 shows a fire-drilling toolset unearthed at Caoyangang archaeological site in east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua)