A neolithic stone carving of the Big Dipper star formation has
been found on Baimiaozi Mountain near Chifeng City in northwest
China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, according to
experts.
The stone carving was discovered by Wu Jiacai, a 50-year-old
researcher in literature and history with Wongniute Banner of Inner
Mongolia.
Wu found a large yam-shaped stone, 310 centimeters long, onto
which 19 stars had been carved. The representation of the Big
Dipper is on the north face of the stone.
The stars are represented by indentations in the stone. The
biggest indentation is 6 centimeters in diameter and 5 centimeters
deep, said Wu.
"The stone was carved by neolithic dwellers," said Gai Shanlin,
researcher with the Inner Mongolia Institute of Cultural Relics and
Archaeology (IMICRA) and an expert in stone carving.
The carving style proves this, said Gai. Astronomers'
conjectures about the shape of the Big Dipper some ten thousand
years ago also match the carving.
"Finding a stone carving in China's desert hinterland is a rare
occurrence," said Tala, director of IMICRA, who said it might help
prove how ancient celestial bodies evolved.
Apart from the Big Dipper, Wu also found some "unexplained
images" on the stone. He thinks they may depict ancient gods, such
as the god of the sun and the god of horses. Further study would be
needed to determine when the pictures were painted.
Many neolithic jade articles from the Hongshan Culture -- such
as a dragon with a pig's mouth and a cloud-shaped pendant -- have
already been unearthed around Baimiaozi Mountain.
The Hongshan Culture was an aboriginal culture that existed in
northern China about 6000 years ago.
Tala believes the discovery will contribute to knowledge about
the origin and spread of Hongshan Culture.
(Xinhua News Agency August 16, 2006)
