In 2023, China’s ambitious project to trace the origins of its civilization has made significant strides, entering its fifth phase and expanding its research to 29 core sites. This monumental effort, aimed at demystifying China’s profound history, has produced notable results, enriching the understanding of the early stages of Chinese civilization.
The National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA) of China reports that around 5,800 years ago, clear signs of social differentiation began to emerge across various regions in China. This period marks a critical phase in the acceleration of Chinese civilization, stretching from 5,800 to 3,500 years ago, encompassing the ancient state era and the era of dynasties.
The project identifies three key stages in the ancient state era. The first stage, around 5,800-5,200 years ago, is highlighted by the Niuheliang site in Northeast China’s Liaoning Province. This site, known for its sacrificial activities and tomb clusters, belongs to the Hongshan culture and illustrates early social complexity.
The second stage, approximately 5,200-4,300 years ago, includes the Liangzhu site in East China’s Zhejiang Province. This era witnessed enhanced social differentiation and resource mobilization, indicative of increasingly complex societal structures.
The third stage, around 4,300-3,800 years ago, saw the Central Plains area become a focal point for historical development, setting the foundation for China’s historical trajectory.
By 3,800 years ago, researchers believe China transitioned into the era of dynasties. Wang Wei, director of the Academic Division of History under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and a key figure in the national project, notes that the team plans to expand the research timeframe from 5,500 to 8,000 years ago, up until around 2,800 years ago.
Around 8,000 years ago, significant advancements in material and spiritual culture were observed, along with the beginnings of societal differentiation. The differentiation of society marks the origin of civilization, while the formation of civilization is characterized by the establishment of an emperor state, a qualitative change in societal structure.
In terms of significant archaeological discoveries, 2023 has been a prolific year for Chinese archaeology. Notable findings include ancient chariots near the mausoleum of Emperor Qinshihuang in Shaanxi Province and the Sanxingdui Ruins in Sichuan Province, which won the Field Discovery Award at the Shanghai Archaeology Forum.
The Sanxingdui Ruins have revealed over 17,000 cultural relics in six sacrificial pits, including gold ware, bronze vessels, pottery, and jade artifacts. Ran Honglin, who leads the research at Sanxingdui, plans to publish excavation reports in preparation for a world heritage application.
Modern technologies such as remote sensing, C14 dating, and GIS analysis have revolutionized Chinese archaeological methods. These advancements have led to discoveries like ancient dams at the Liangzhu Ruins in Zhejiang Province and deep-sea shipwrecks explored by the submersible Shenhai Yongshi.
Chinese archaeology’s progress has garnered international attention, with discoveries such as Emperor Wen’s tomb featuring in global top ten lists. Additionally, Chinese archaeologist Yan Wenming received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Shanghai Archaeology Forum, marking a significant milestone for Chinese scholarship in the field.
In summary, the year 2023 marks a pivotal moment in Chinese archaeology. The ongoing project to trace the origins of Chinese civilization has not only deepened the understanding of China’s ancient history but also placed Chinese archaeological research at the forefront of global academic discourse.
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