The Taosi Site Museum, dedicated to one of China’s most significant archaeological discoveries, has opened in Xiangfen County, Shanxi. Officially launched on November 11, the museum presents a civilization that flourished 3,900 to 4,300 years ago, believed to be the capital during the era of Emperor Yao, a sage ruler from over 4,100 years ago.
Built near the Taosi archaeological site, the museum features 230 cultural relics that offer insights into ancient Chinese life, including pottery, jade, stone, and copper artifacts.
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Among its prized exhibits are a gnomon shadow measurement tool (guibiao), thought to be part of China’s earliest known observatory, and a colored pottery plate with a curled dragon pattern, which may represent the origins of China’s dragon totem.
Additionally, a flat pottery kettle with red-inked inscriptions could contain the earliest examples of Chinese written language.
The museum, part of the Taosi Archaeological Site Park, includes an exhibition hall for ancient astronomy and a preservation center for thousands of relics unearthed since the site’s discovery in 1958. Excavations, which began in 1978, have revealed urban settlements, a palace enclosure, storage zones, cemeteries, and the observatory altar.
“The relics provide crucial material evidence for understanding the formation of early Chinese society and the nation,” said Gao Jiangtao, head of the archaeological team.
The Taosi Site Museum offers visitors an unparalleled glimpse into the origins of Chinese civilization and its early advancements in astronomy, culture, and governance.
Source: Exploring Shanxi’s Ancient Heritage: A Captivating Museum Exhibition
