Archaeologists In China Have Uncovered One Of The Earliest And Largest Bone Needle Workshops Ever Found
At the Shimao site in Shaanxi, China, excavations have revealed one of the earliest and largest bone needle workshops ever found. The discovery sheds light on the development of craft specialization and the emergence of early states in China during the shift from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age.
The Shimao site is located between the Chinese Loess Plateau of the agropastoralists and the Mongolian Plateau of the herders/hunter-gatherers. Between 2016 and 2018, researchers explored the area, uncovering stone walls, ceremonial structures, and a large stone terrace mound.
According to Dr. Li Min, one of the project’s researchers, the Shimao workshop was “the first specialized workshop for the mass production of bone tools” that Chinese archaeologists have found.
In the past, examples of Neolithic bone tool production had only been for general purposes and were conducted on a smaller scale.
The Shimao workshop represents the beginning of industrial production, which was seen in cities during the later Bronze Age. The site is made up of three major features: the outer enclosure, the inner enclosure, and the central mound known as Huangchentai (royal terrace).
The bone needle workshop was at the top of the mound, accompanied by temples, guardhouses, petroglyphs, and the residences of elite members of society. To Dr. Li Min, the location of the workshop is unusual.
“For me, the unexpected finding is the location of the production on top of the central mound, associated with ritual architecture and possibly palatial buildings. This association shows a close-knit relationship between needle production, which probably served garment production, and the ritual authority at Shimao,” said Dr. Li Min.
It is believed that silk, hemp, and sheep-skin garments were manufactured at the workshop. These garments were likely shamanistic costumes decorated with turquoise beads, cowrie shells, and small copper objects.
Over 18,759 fragments of finished and partially finished bones were unburied during the excavations. Among them, there were 16,137 bone needles.
Evgeny – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual person
Most of the bone artifacts were crafted from the bones of sheep/goats that had been sacrificed in rituals or consumed during feasting activities. These animals were chosen for the straight, smooth, and dense nature of their bones.
The needles came in various shapes and sizes. This meant they were suited for use at different stages of textile production.
They could also be used on a range of textiles, from silk to leather. The diversity of the needles points to a period of transition.
During the Neolithic, it was common for bone needles to be of varying shapes and sizes from an assortment of animals.
However, during the Bronze Age, bone needle production became more standardized. Since they were being created at an industrial level, the same species was used. The bone needle workshop at Shimao shows evidence of both practices.
The researchers hope that future excavations can answer more questions about the workshop, such as the frequency at which bone needles were manufactured and who they were constructed for.
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