Large Wooden Structure F63 at the Neolithic Jijiaocheng Site in Lixian, Hunan

Abstract A large-scale wooden structure F63 was discovered during archaeological excavations at the Jijiaocheng site between 2020 and 2021. The building was constructed by first excavating a foundation trench on a platform, then laying wooden planks in the trench, upon which columns were erected. Corridors were located on the east, south, and west sides. The structure, consisting of five bays and seven rooms, had a main building area of 420m 2 , expanding to a total area of 630m 2 when including the surrounding corridors. The building was likely elevated above ground level by placing beams and planks on the columns, representing a terraced, stilt-style architecture. Radiocarbon dating places the construction of F63 around 2700 BCE. This discovery is notable as it is the first relatively intact large-scale Neolithic wooden structure found in China, offering valuable insights into the form and characteristics of prehistoric Chinese architecture.