玛不错遗址位于西藏日喀则市康马县，已入选2024年度中国全国十大考古新发现[1]。该遗址是青藏高原腹地海拔最高、年代最早的新石器时代遗址，主体年代距今约4800年至3000年[1]。西藏自治区文物保护研究所相关工作人员指出，"玛不错遗址填补了西藏中南部史前文化空白，实证高原与周边早期交流"[1]，同时首次构建了西藏中部距今约4800年至2000年的史前文化发展序列[1]。
遗址出土的多种外来遗存揭示了高原与周边地区的早期文化互动。出土的粟、稻分别来自中国北方或青藏高原东部[1]，而出土的象牙极有可能源自亚洲大象，从东部输入高原[1]。第二期地层中还出土了距今近4000年的滑石珠[1]。这些发现为中华文明多元一体格局提供了关键实证[1]，并揭示了陶器工艺形成的"中原—高原东部—高原中部"技术传播链[1]。
目前考古工作已发掘61座墓葬，包含石棺墓、竖穴土坑墓等多种形制[1]，为进一步研究西藏史前社会结构和文化内涵奠定了基础。
The Mabuoguo site, located in Kangma County, Shigatse City in Tibet, has been selected as one of China's top ten archaeological discoveries of 2024.[1] The site represents the highest-altitude and earliest Neolithic settlement ever discovered in the heartland of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, with its main occupation period dating to approximately 4,800 to 3,000 years ago.[1] Excavations have uncovered 61 tombs of various forms, including stone coffin burials and vertical pit graves.[1]
The discoveries at Mabuoguo provide crucial evidence for understanding prehistoric cultural exchanges between the plateau and surrounding regions. Archaeologists have identified millet and rice originating from northern China or the eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, as well as ivory that likely came from Asian elephants transported from the east.[1] Additionally, the second occupation phase yielded slate beads dating to nearly 4,000 years ago.[1] These findings establish a technological transmission chain spanning from the Central Plains through the eastern plateau to the central plateau, visible in pottery craftsmanship.[1] According to Xiagequangdui, "the Mabuoguo site fills a gap in the prehistoric culture of central and southern Tibet, providing direct evidence of early exchanges between the plateau and adjacent regions."[1] Through these discoveries, the site has established the first comprehensive prehistoric cultural development sequence for central Tibet spanning from approximately 4,800 to 2,000 years ago.[1]