In 1999, a significant discovery took place in Qinghai province, China, when a large number of remains were accidentally uncovered at a construction site. Promptly, the local Archaeological Institute was notified, and plans were made to relocate the remains.
The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the Institute of Cultural Relics swiftly formed an archaeological team to investigate and conduct historical research. Their findings determined that these remains were the result of an earthquake that occurred approximately 4,000 years ago.
The remaiпs were foυпd (Soυrce: QQ)
This Neolithic settlement stands as the only known site in China where a large-scale natural disaster has been uncovered.
At Site No. 4 of the La Gia site, archaeologists made a heart-wrenching discovery of 14 human skeletons, most of them belonging to infants and young children. The smallest skeleton found was determined to be only 2 years old.
The remains were found in a tragic state, reflecting the suddenness of the earthquake that struck the area. The affected families had no time to react, resulting in the remains being found in highly poignant positions—some sitting, some crawling on the ground, and others lying on their sides. However, the most poignant discovery was that of a mother tightly embracing her child in her arms.
The mother’s posture, with her head raised as if praying for a miracle, deeply moved the archaeologists witnessing this scene. The emotional impact was beyond words.
Through DNA testing, experts confirmed that all 14 sets of remains were biologically related. Additionally, they determined that these individuals had close genetic ties to the modern Hani people and Burmese speakers.
Noodles were foυпd iп La Gia relic (Soυrce: QQ)
Field archaeologists made a significant finding at the Lajia site—a thousand-year-old pottery bowl used for noodle-making. This discovery provides evidence that over 4,000 years ago, people utilized millet to create noodles. The revelation propelled the Lajia site into the list of the top 10 archaeological discoveries in China during that period.
