Xiaohe

Xiaohe, or Xiaohe (小河), is a Chinese toponym meaning "little river." It is used for many places across China, including towns, townships, and geographic features, reflecting the common nature of the name in local toponymy.

The most widely known reference is the Xiaohe Cemetery, also called the Small River Cemetery, an archaeological site in the Tarim Basin in Xinjiang, China. The site has yielded well-preserved Bronze Age mummies, wooden coffins, and textiles, and is dated to roughly 2000 BCE. Excavation and study began in the early 20th century and continued through the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The findings at Xiaohe have been important for understanding ancient population movements in Central Asia, showing a combination of local practices and influences from distant regions. Analyses of the remains have contributed to discussions about the genetic and cultural exchanges across the Eurasian steppe in ancient times, highlighting interactions between East Asian and Western Eurasian lineages.

Beyond the cemetery, Xiaohe remains a common place name used for various smaller settlements and natural features in China. The name’s literal meaning—“small river”—reflects a geographic descriptor that has been applied repeatedly in different provinces, contributing to its ubiquity in Chinese geography.