Extended Data Fig. 1. Burial goods excavated from the Xiaohe cemetery.

A, a wooden sculpture excavated from the upper layer of a double-layer mud coffin of XHM75. B, an oar-plank placed in front of a male burial. C, a wooden pole placed in front of a female burial. D, Burial XHM66 from layer 4 of the Xiaohe cemetery illustrating typical features of early burials, including boat-shaped coffins and mummified remains dressed in woollen garments. This burial style is common at Bronze Age cemeteries throughout the Tarim Basin, including Beifang and Gumugou. E, Side view of the Xiaohe cemetery showing wooden grave markers and fencing.