This jade figurine, dating to the Shang Dynasty, was unearthed at the Sharitala site in Ejin Horoo Banner. Pierced with a hole, it was clearly worn as an ornament.

The figure features an elongated head and two stout legs, abstractly rendering a full lower body. Its arms extend upward naturally, while the feet turn slightly outward.

Jade figurines first appeared during the Neolithic period and have been found at numerous ancient sites—including those of the Longshan, Dawenkou, Daxi, Lingjiatan, and Shijiahe cultures. These early examples were generally small, flat plaques with simple incised lines.

Human-shaped jade objects have a long history in China, originating mainly from totem worship and the veneration of anthropomorphic deities in prehistoric societies. They reflect early human expressions of civilization, ideology, and aesthetic sensibility.

(Text by: Bai Linyun, Qiao Lina, Gao Jing)