On the trail of Majiayao

Focusing on the key period from 4,000 to 5,000 years ago in tracing the origins of Chinese civilization, archaeologists have made key discoveries in the lower and middle reaches of the Yangtze River and lower reaches of the Yellow River.

But the situation on the upper reaches of the Yellow River long remained unclear. As the Majiayao culture mainly spread in this region and was from that period, it may fill in that blank, Guo says.

Previous findings in the Neolithic sites of eastern area of China showed that they had rich agricultural resources, a strong religious atmosphere and obvious differences in social status.

"Compared to them, in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, ancient people also had agriculture as the basis, but paid more attention to handicrafts and trade. They didn't have that strong religious atmosphere, nor obvious social or wealth differentiation, but civilization here also developed to a high level," says Guo.