New building of Yinxu Museum opens to the public

The new building of the Yinxu Museum at the Yin Ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site hailed as a spiritual symbol of the Chinese nation in Anyang, central China's Henan Province, opened its doors to the public on Monday.

Bearing the Chinese name of Yinxu, the over 3,000-year-old Yin Ruins are home to the archaeological remnants of the ancient city of Yin, the former capital of the late Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC) and the first capital site in Chinese history to be documented and substantiated by archaeological evidence.

With its discovery hailed as one of China's most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century, the site has earned the reputation as both "the cradle of modern Chinese archaeology" and "the hometown of oracle bone inscriptions," and its rich historical tapestry forms the focus of the newly inaugurated building.

Covering an expansive exhibition area of around 22,000 square meters, the brand-new building showcases an impressive number of nearly 4,000 items or sets of cultural relics, ranging from bronze and pottery items to jade and oracle bones. And more than three-quarters of these rare exhibits are on public display for the first time.

To highlight some of the must-see exhibits, one notable piece of ox scapulae has emerged. Beyond its resemblance to the character for "bone" in oracle bone script, this fragment boasts a remarkable inscription of 93 characters, vividly documenting divination practices related to royal hunting.

Another intriguing oracle bone, while featuring fewer characters, appears to exude a captivating opulence. This particular piece is distinguished by its text meticulously inlaid with turquoise, making it the sole existing oracle bone with turquoise inlay held in any Chinese museum collection.

Turning to bronzeware, an exquisite bronze relic in the shape of a delicate hand invites exploration. Adorned with an intricate animal mask motif on its back, this lifelike "hand" displays five fingers with balanced proportions, distinct knuckles, and smooth fingertips, although its purpose has yet to be conclusively determined.

The Yinxu Museum's new building also houses a captivating pottery sculpture that offers invaluable insight into the physical appearance of Shang Dynasty people and a diverse collection of precious animal-inspired relics, with a breathtaking display of chariots unearthed from the Yin Ruins ready to "transport" visitors to the ancient battleground of 3,000 years ago, creating an immersive and enriching experience for all who step inside.

Centered on the magnificent Shang civilization, the recently inaugurated branch of the Yinxu Museum unveils a carefully curated array of three basic exhibitions, four compelling thematic exhibitions, and an immersive digital showcase, offering visitors a comprehensive and panoramic overview of the splendors of the Shang Dynasty.