5,200-year-old stone carving chrysalis found

Archaeologists found a stone-carved chrysalis dating back to at least 5,200 years ago in North China's Shanxi province last month, according to the provincial archaeology research institute.

The chrysalis, which is 2.8 centimeters long, with a maximum abdominal diameter measuring 1.2 cm, was found in a house at the Shangguo site in Wenxi county in the city of Yuncheng.

Based on pieces of unearthed pottery, archaeologists speculate that the dwelling was established during the early stage of the late Yangshao Culture period, about 5,200 years ago.

The Yangshao Culture, dating back 5,000 to 7,000 years, originated in the middle reaches of the Yellow River and is considered an important stream of Chinese civilization.

Over the past 100 years, relics related to silkworm culture have been unearthed in many places in Yuncheng city, says Tian Jianwen, a researcher with the provincial archaeology research institute.

"At present, many silkworm cocoons and chrysalises discovered in Yuncheng city have been found in good condition, indicating that the people of Yangshao Culture in southern Shanxi had raised silkworms," says Tian. The discovery of stone-carved chrysalises provided important clues for the study of the origin and spread of silk, according to Tian.

Located in the southeast of Wenxi county, the Shangguo site is a key national cultural relic protection unit. Since 2018, the provincial archaeology institute of Shanxi has been constantly working on the site.