Relics from Qiandongjiazi No.1 ancient mountain fortress

The Qiandongjiazi No.1 ancient mountain fortress on the Sanjiang Plain in the suburbs of Jiamusi, Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, has been recently confirmed through systematic archaeological surveys to contain a total of 252 relics, including 246 semi-subterranean dwellings arranged in rows, city walls, moats, gates, and roads, with a core area covering 34,000 square meters. 

This result not only fills a gap in the archaeological record of Han (206BC-AD220) and Wei (220-265) period mountain fortresses on the Sanjiang Plain, but also further confirms Jiamusi's historical status as the former territory of the "Sushen kingdom" (an ancient northern kingdom) and the ancient "Yilou polity" (an ancient place), according to the China News Service.

The Qiandongjiazi No.1 ancient mountain ­fortress is considered the most well-preserved and systematically organized Han-Wei mountain settlement discovered so far on the Sanjiang Plain. According to the survey and exploration results, the 252 relics clearly reflect the fortress's defensive system and settlement layout, providing systematic material evidence for understanding the social structure, military organization, and residential structure of the ancient Yilou people.

"This discovery offers invaluable insight into the regional culture and ethnic composition of ancient Northeast China," Zhang Yin, a Beijing-based expert on ancient China's Qin (221BC-206BC) and Han dynasties archaeology, told the Global Times on Wednesday. 

"It strengthens Jiamusi's role in research on cross-regional cultural interactions during the Han and Wei periods," Zhang said.

The findings also lay a solid foundation for ­future scientific excavation, preservation, and exhibition of the site, ensuring that the ­Qiandongjiazi No.1 ancient mountain fortress can be studied and appreciated in a systematic and sustainable manner, according to the China News Service.

Han-Wei period sites on the Sanjiang Plain have been designated as Major National Historical and Cultural Sites in China. They are located in the cities of Jiamusi and Shuangyashan, as well as in the counties of Baoqing, Youyi, and Fujin in Heilongjiang Province. Based on the presence or absence of defensive structures, these sites are classified into "walled settlements" and "settlements" categories according to the China Cultural Heritage Foundation.

Most walled settlements are situated in mountainous areas, with relatively few on the plains, and feature one to four layers of walls. In addition to settlements of varying sizes, the sites also include ritual locations, defensive outposts, and watchtowers.

"Each city wall and every ritual site is a testament to the ingenuity and way of life of ancient people," Zhang said. "By studying these relics, we are not only protecting and preserving cultural heritage, but also enhancing cultural identity and confidence."

According to Zhang, discoveries and studies like these clarify the trajectory of Chinese ­civilization over the course of history and highlight the unique role of archaeology in understanding the past and shaping cultural awareness."