In Zhengzhou, the bustling capital of Central China’s Henan Province, archaeologists have unveiled a remarkable relic from the distant past: a water system that dates back over 3,600 years to the beginnings of the Shang Dynasty (1600BC-1046BC). This significant find has filled a historical void, providing a more comprehensive understanding of Zhengzhou’s ancient urban layout.
Ma Yupeng, the esteemed director of the Zhengzhou Shang Dynasty Ruins Museum, detailed how this discovery ties together a series of ditches that once meandered through the core of the ancient metropolis. Recognized as the most expansive water system from the early Shang Dynasty period to be unearthed, it is composed of three distinct ditch sections located in the remnants of a Shang Dynasty city.
Intriguingly, while one section sits upon a naturally occurring riverbed, the other two segments have been identified as purely man-made. Collectively, these ditches extend an impressive 540 meters, measuring up to 12 meters in width and plunging approximately four meters at their most profound points. In addition to these waterways, the excavation revealed traces of workshops dedicated to copper casting and crafting objects from bone.
Yang Wensheng, the vice director of the Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Heritage and Archaeology, shared insights on the discovery. He remarked, “Our analyses of the ditches’ spatial positions, coupled with the cultural artifacts retrieved, suggest a comprehensive water system symbolizing the opulence of the Shang capital.”
This archaeological site sprawls over 25 square kilometers and is reputed to have been the prominent capital established by Emperor Tang, the pioneering ruler of the Shang Dynasty. This city holds monumental importance in the trajectory of the Shang civilization, rooted in the fertile expanses of the Yellow River basin.
Furthermore, evidence of man-made channels and intricate stone mechanisms intended for water distribution were identified within the ditches. These findings imply a meticulously crafted water system integral to the city. Moreover, connections between the ditches, ponds, and ornate gardens in the city’s northern districts underscore the dual functionality of this water network – sustaining the city’s inhabitants and beautifying its landscape.
Yang Shugang, a fellow member of the Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Heritage and Archaeology, stressed the significance of this discovery. He stated, “This water system revelation broadens our comprehension of ancient urban designs and offers a deeper perspective on city planning and zonal divisions during the early Shang Dynasty.”
As per sources, forthcoming investigations will venture further into this ancient water system. Researchers will probe its inception, duration of operation, eventual desertion, the techniques employed in its creation, and its synergy with the natural waterways enveloping the city. Yang Wensheng conveyed the team’s dedication, “Our endeavors will encompass the conservation and display of select water system fragments, emphasizing stone-made water channeling constructs at their authentic sites.”
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