An exhibition titled "Learn from the Past and Know the Future: China's Archaeological Achievements in the New Era" is taking place at the National Museum of China. Nearly 400 of the most recently unearthed cultural relics from the collections of 43 museums and archaeological institutions are currently on display.
A photo shows figurines on display at the National Museum of China in Beijing. September 24, 2023. /IC
The artifacts cover a wide range of periods, from the Paleolithic era to the Song (960-1279) and Yuan (1279-1368) dynasties, and span a variety of fields, such as underwater archaeology, field archaeology, borderland archaeology and Silk Road archaeology. It vividly narrates the history of human origins, the formation of Chinese civilization and its development within the boundaries of China.
A photo shows stone cultural relics on display at the National Museum of China in Beijing. September 24, 2023. /IC
One of the most important exhibits is the Acheulean hand axe excavated from the Piluo site in Daocheng, Sichuan Province. Hand axes are essential tools that were created and used by early humans during the Paleolithic era, which are characterized by their symmetry, versatility, and both their aesthetic and practical functions. They were used for cutting, digging and chopping, among other purposes.
A photo shows a bronze box unearthed in Yuncheng, Shanxi Province on display at the National Museum of China in Beijing. September 24, 2023. /IC
Bronzeware is another essential aspect of the exhibition. A bronze box unearthed in Yuncheng, Shanxi Province that dates back to the Spring and Autumn period (770-476 B.C.) was remarkable for its exquisite design. Chemical analysis showed that the residues inside the box consisted mainly of cosmetics, including fats, plant essential oils, cinnabar, calcite, and aragonite. These findings provide crucial material evidence that cosmetics were used in pre-Qin China.
A visitor takes photos of cultural relics on display at the National Museum of China in Beijing. September 24, 2023. /IC
A green-glazed string-patterned tripod stove unearthed at the Qingyaoxiang Kiln Site in Fancunjing, Taicang City, Jiangsu Province vividly reflects the significant role that the Silk Road played in connecting China with the world. Taicang was one of the most important ports on the Maritime Silk Road during the Yuan (1279-1368) and Ming (1368-1644) dynasties. It is often speculated that this site was a distribution center for ceramics during the late Yuan period.
It is also worth noting that the design of the exhibition hall was inspired by the unique spatial structures of the archaeological sites themselves, offering audiences the chance to better understand the relationship between archaeological work and its outcomes.