China's top 10 archaeological discoveries for 2024 were recently released in Beijing, with the Siwa site of nearly 5,000 years ago, situated in Lintao county in Northwest China's Gansu province, included.

The excavating units at the Siwa site are the Institute of Archaeology at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the Gansu Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, while Guo Zhiwei is the project leader.

Precious ancient artifacts go on show from the Siwa site in Lintao county. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The Siwa site belongs to the Majiayao culture, an ancient Chinese culture dating back more than five millennia. The culture is seen as being of great significance in filling a gap in the exploration of the origin of Chinese civilization in the northwest region.

The Siwa site has rich connotations and after years of archaeological work, a triple rectangular layout of encirclement trenches, nearly 100 house sites, a large number of ash pits and cellars, more than 10 pottery kilns and several tombs have been discovered.

Multiple archaeological breakthrough discoveries have been made on the site, including the discovery of the first large-scale molded pottery area of the Majiayao culture and the first confirmation of the high-level and central settlement of the Majiayao culture.