This undated file combo photo shows the jade wares unearthed from the Wuwangdun Tomb in Huainan City, east China's Anhui Province. Six significant archaeological sites in China were named the top new discoveries in 2024, announced Wednesday at an annual forum hosted by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

The honored sites include: the Dadong paleolithic site in Helong City, Jilin Province; the Xiatang neolithic site in Xianju County, Zhejiang Province; the Wuwangdun Tomb in Huainan City, Anhui Province; the Siwa site in Gansu Province, which features a Majiayao culture settlement dating back about 5,000 years; the Zhouyuan site in Shaanxi Province, known for its large rammed-earth structures from the pre-Zhou Dynasty period; and the Jingdezhen ceramic industry sites in Jiangxi Province.

The forum, first held in 2002, serves as a platform for announcing and exchanging the latest archaeological achievements and findings in China. (The Archaeology Journal/Handout via Xinhua)

Six notable archaeological sites in China were recognized as the top new discoveries of 2024, as revealed on Wednesday during an annual forum organized by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Among the recognized locations,the Dadong Paleolithic site in Helong City, Jilin Province is celebrated as the largest and most culturally significant Upper Paleolithic discovery in northeast Asia, known for revealing the region's most comprehensive and ancient cultural sequences.

The Xiatang Neolithic site in Xianju County, Zhejiang Province is a vital testament to China's 10,000-year cultural history, providing fresh insights into the evolution of regional cultures and the history of rice cultivation.

Another major finding is the Wuwangdun Tomb in Huainan City, Anhui Province. This tomb stands as the largest, most prestigious, and most intricate burial site from the ancient Chu state, dating back to over 2,200 years. The excavation offers profound understanding of burial practices and the cultural life of the Chu state, particularly after its eastward migration.

Other distinguished sites include the Siwa site in Gansu Province, home to a Majiayao culture settlement that is around 5,000 years old; the Zhouyuan site in Shaanxi Province, known for its large rammed-earth structures from the pre-Zhou Dynasty (before 1046 BCE.); and the Jingdezhen ceramic industry sites in Jiangxi Province, which span over 600 years and encompass the Yuan (1271-1368), Ming (1368-1644), and Qing (1636-1912) dynasties.

The forum, which began in 2002, serves as an important venue for presenting and discussing the latest archaeological discoveries and achievements in China.