New discovery at Liao Dynasty site reveals architectural evidence of nomadic, cultural synthesis

Chinese archaeologists at the Shangjing site of the Liao Dynasty (916-1125) have discovered and confirmed four large courtyard complexes in the southwest portion of the imperial city, offering insights into the historical legacy of this ancient “grassland capital".

The new discovery primarily provides conclusive evidence of the central fusion between nomadic Khitan people and the established agrarian Central Plains (Han Chinese) culture.

Meanwhile, the newly revealed courtyards are spectacular in scale, with one complex facing south and the other facing east.

In this connection, an associate researcher at the Institute of Archaeology at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), Wang Ying noted that the historical records demonstrated that the southwestern part of the imperial city once housed administrative offices such as for Linhuang prefecture.

On the contrary, CASS researcher involved in the evacuation told the Global Times that the team recognized the foundations of the palace city in the core area of the imperial city, where no surface remains had survived.

The findings have confirmed that the Liao capital followed a “palace city encircled within the imperial city”, an urban design that combined the ceremonial order of the Central Plains with diverse features.

Archaeologists have further analyzed the superimposed layers of construction across the courtyards, proposing that the sites continued to be used and reformed after the fall of the Liao.

No doubt these offer profound observations into cultural transmission and adoption of consecutive administrations in northern China.

Nevertheless, the new discovery deepens our understanding of the cohesive personality of Chinese civilization and stands as a powerful testimony to the long history of integration among China’s ethnic groups.