The Gachong Village Ruins are situated in Gachong Village, within the Doilung Deqen District. The site is perched at an elevation of 3,632 meters above sea level and spans an area of approximately 10,000 square meters. Unfortunately, in recent years, nearly half of this historically significant site has succumbed to damage caused by unauthorized excavations.
Archaeological experts conducting research at the site have made several noteworthy discoveries. These findings include pottery utensils that were employed in metal smelting, remnants of iron materials, iron slag, animal bones, charcoal, ash residues, as well as the remnants of ancient dwelling structures. Additionally, various primitive artefacts such as pottery fragments, hammers, and stone tools have been unearthed. Of particular significance is the fact that this site represents the first archaeological evidence in Tibet of a period when both metal tools and stone tools were utilized concurrently.
The collection of physical artefacts retrieved from the Gachong Village Ruins is incredibly diverse. Notable among these discoveries are stone tools, pottery fragments adorned with linear incised patterns and tapered thorn motifs, as well as finely polished black pottery. These findings align with archaeological evidence from an earlier era, dating back to around 3700 BCE.
