The Zhongcun site in Xiyang county, Shanxi province, has made China's top 10 list of archaeological discoveries for 2025 – one of the highest honors for the country's archaeological projects, marking another major achievement for the province.

The site was excavated by a joint team from the Shanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology, Shanxi University, Jinzhong City Museum, and Xiyang County Cultural Relics Office. It dates back to the Xia (c.21st century-16th century BC) and Shang (c.16th century-11th century BC) dynasties.

During the excavation, 18 tombs were uncovered, including six key tombs ranging from 18 to 46 square meters that represent the highest-ranked noble burial group from this era discovered to date. Significant finds from large tomb M10 and medium tomb M9 include pottery jars, turquoise ornaments, lacquered wooden objects, cinnabar, and seashells.

Experts highlight the site's importance as a critical reference for assessing the development of civilization and social stratification in the Erlitou and Xiaqiyuan cultures. This discovery challenges previous understandings of the social development level in the region west of the Taihang Mountains during the Xia and Shang periods. It also provides crucial archaeological evidence for the evolution of civilization in the areas surrounding the Xia realm.

Other projects selected for the 2025 top 10 archaeological discoveries include the Peiligang site in Xinzheng, Henan; the Zhengjiagou site in Xuanhua, Hebei; the Nanzuo site in Qingyang, Gansu; and more.