Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) – The special exhibition "China in the Xia Dynasty" opened on the 8th at the Shanxi Bronze Museum. The exhibition brings together over 250 artifacts from 31 cultural and museum institutions across China, including those in Henan, Liaoning, and Gansu provinces. This is the first comprehensive and systematic exhibition showcasing the Xia culture in China.
The Xia Dynasty was the first hereditary dynasty in Chinese history. It marked the transition of Chinese civilization from diversity to unity, from legend to historical fact.
The exhibition is divided into three sections. The "Civilization Formation" section presents a diverse picture of civilization before the establishment of the Xia Dynasty, highlighting key sites such as Taosi and Shimao. The "Rise of the Dynasty" section reveals the establishment and development of the Xia Dynasty through important remains such as Erlitou. The "Symbiosis of Chinese Civilization" section explains the radiation and influence of Xia culture on surrounding areas, outlining the early consensus of Chinese civilization.
The exhibition showcases several new archaeological discoveries and cutting-edge research results. Cao Jun, a staff member of the Shanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology and head of the excavation team at the Zhongcun Cemetery in Xiyang County, introduced that the archaeological excavation at the Zhongcun Cemetery only concluded a little over a month ago, unearthing artifacts including turquoise, scallops, and pottery jue (wine vessels).
"A turquoise found in the left ear of the tomb occupant has a similar craftsmanship to that found at the Erlitou site, indicating some cultural exchange with Erlitou at that time. The large scallop found on the head of the tomb occupant suggests that it was transported from the coastal area, indicating the high status of the tomb occupant at Zhongcun Cemetery," said Cao Jun.
Li Hui, a guide at the Shanxi Bronze Museum, pointed to the bronze artifacts in the display case and explained, "The Erlitou site in Henan Province discovered the earliest known group of bronze ritual vessels in China. This bronze jue is a representative of the Xia Dynasty culture. Although its surface is undecorated and its workmanship is relatively rough, it marks the beginning of China's Bronze Age."
This special exhibition is the most concentrated and systematic display of archaeological findings related to the Xia Dynasty culture to date, and it will run until May 10th. (End)
