Xichengyi culture

Xichengyi culture
Geographical rangeGansu, China
Dates2,000-1,600 BCE
Major sitesXichengyi, Ganggangwa, Huoshiliang
Preceded byMajiayao culture (3,300–2,000 BCE)
Followed bySiba culture (1,600–1,300 BCE)
Shajing culture (800–200 BCE)
Han Dynasty (202 BCE–220 CE)

The Xichengyi culture (Ch:西城驿文化) was an ancient culture in the central Heihe River region of the Hexi Corridor, from 2,000 to 1,600 BCE. It is contemporary with the Qijia culture to its southeast. It succeeded the Majiayao culture (2,300–2,000 BCE) in the area, and preceded the Siba culture.

Some of its important archaeological sites are Xichengyi, Ganggangwa (where there are also some earlier Machang culture remains), and Huoshiliang (exclusively Xichengyi culture).

The Xichengyi culture practiced bronze smelting extensively, as seen by the quantity of slabs and furnace material (adobe constructions with blast pipes). The copper ore was from the neighbouring Beishan Mountain.