Excavations at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Liangzhu have revealed a massive 'jade-incrusted' dancing floor. The platform, constructed over 5,000 years ago, is surrounded by ritual pits containing thousands of jade beads and small spirit-animal carvings, indicating its role in large-scale communal performances and dance rituals.
Researchers believe the site was the central hub for river-blessing festivals designed to appease water deities and ensure agricultural prosperity. This finding highlights the complex social organization and religious fervor of the Liangzhu Culture, predating established Chinese historical records of seasonal celebrations.