Niuheliang Goddess Temple and Jade Complex

Record summary

Niuheliang is a large Hongshan-period ritual and mortuary complex containing an unusual temple-like structure, stone platforms, burials, and jade objects. It has been interpreted as evidence for social hierarchy, organized ritual, and perhaps an early complex society in northeastern China. Questions remain about the relationship among the structures, the scale of permanent settlement, and whether terms such as temple or state are appropriate. The site matters for comparing monumentality and ritual economies, while its interpretation depends heavily on chronology, excavation history, and changing theoretical models.