Banpo is an archaeological site first discovered in 1953 and located in the Yellow River Valley just east of Xi'an, China. It contains the remains of several well organised Neolithic settlements dating from approximately 4500 BC. It is a large area of sixty square kilometers and surrounded by a ditch, five or six meters wide. The houses were circular, build of mud and wood with overhanging thatched roofs. They sat on low foundations. There appears to be communal burial areas.
Banpo is the type-site associated with Yangshao Culture. Archaeological sites with similarities to the first phase at Banpo are considered to be part of the Banpo phase (5000 BC to 4000 BC) of the Yangshao culture. Banpo covers an area of around 50,000 square metres.
Banpo was considered to be a matriarchal society; however, new research contradicts this claim. Currently, little can be said of the religious or political structure from these ruins from the archeological evidence.
Banpo is the type-site associated with Yangshao Culture. Archaeological sites with similarities to the first phase at Banpo are considered to be part of the Banpo phase (5000 BC to 4000 BC) of the Yangshao culture. Banpo covers an area of around 50,000 square metres.
Banpo was considered to be a matriarchal society; however, new research contradicts this claim. Currently, little can be said of the religious or political structure from these ruins from the archeological evidence.
The site is now home to the Xi'an Banpo Museum.