A well-preserved Han Dynasty settlement has been uncovered near the ancient city of Chang’an in northwest China, shedding new light on suburban life during the Western Han period. Archaeologists with the Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology announced the discovery during an excavation at the Sanjiu relic site in Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi Province.
The site, located about 600 meters (1,970 feet) east of the old city wall of Chang’an, revealed a large residential and industrial area dating from the mid-Western Han period to the Xin Dynasty. The Han Dynasty settlement in China is divided by a ditch running north to south, separating two distinct zones.
Discovery sheds light on ancient urban planning
On the eastern side, researchers identified eight sizable courtyard-style homes arranged along intersecting roads. This section is believed to have served as a center for food processing.
The western side contained workshops for bone and metal work along with housing. More than 78 kilograms (172 pounds) of bone and shell fragments were recovered, along with iron tools and decorative items like bone earrings and shell beads, suggesting jewelry production took place there.
Han Dynasty settlement and social structure in China
Zhang Yanglizheng, who leads the excavation, said the layout and findings provide valuable insight into how communities outside Chang’an were structured during the Han Dynasty. He emphasized that the discovery offers a rare glimpse into the daily operations and social organization of suburban settlements at the time.
Other findings from the 2025 excavation include a Northern Wei cemetery, Song Dynasty graves, and Qing-era pottery kilns, revealing the area’s long history of occupation.
