Home / Science / Prehistoric Burial Unearthed in Hainan, Shedding Light on Ancient Cultures
Prehistoric Burial Unearthed in Hainan, Shedding Light on Ancient Cultures
12 Nov, 2025
Summary
- Archaeologists discover 12,000-13,000-year-old burial in Hainan, China
- Skeletal remains of a child found with shell beads, earliest of their kind
- Burial site provides insights into prehistoric culture on Hainan Island
In a remarkable archaeological discovery, a team of researchers has unearthed a prehistoric burial site in Hainan Province, China, dating back between 12,000 and 13,000 years. The burial, located in the Luobi Cave site in Jiyang District, Sanya, is the earliest of its kind found on the island.
The skeletal remains of a child were found laid on their side, with their fingers bent. Intriguingly, the archaeologists also discovered shell beads near the head and waist of the burial, which they say are the earliest of their kind. These findings could provide valuable insights into the prehistoric culture and practices of the people who inhabited Hainan Island millennia ago.
The Luobi Cave site itself was first discovered in 1983 and has previously yielded other significant archaeological finds, including human fossils, stone tools, bone implements, and animal remains. This latest discovery adds to the growing understanding of the region's rich and ancient history.
