Which of the motifs on this richly decorated jar draws your attention most?

A broad band circles the mouth of the jar, while a repeating geometric pattern embellishes the neck. Below that you can see bird and sun motifs, as well as a double hook pattern that looks like goat horns. Take note of that double hook pattern—it is a characteristic motif of Xindian culture.

Researchers believe that it resembles the character qiang for the Chinese muntjac of oracle bone script.

Many goat remains have been excavated at archeological sites of Xindian culture, which shows that the animal played an important role in everyday life. Scholars have speculated that this motif might have been derived from the shape of goat horns and that it is an ancient muntjac totem.

The sun is also a characteristic pattern found on the painted pottery of Xindian culture. These rich motifs reflect how the people of Xindian culture revered animals and nature, and perhaps, it also shows us a scene of grazing on the northwestern plains.

Xindian culture refers to the remains of a late neolithic culture in northwest China. Large double-handled jars such as this have been mainly excavated in regions including Qinghai and Gansu in the Tao River basin.