Yin Ruins shed new light on 3000-year-old civilization in C China's Henan

"I have long been yearning to visit here. This time I come here to gain a deeper understanding of the Chinese civilization so that we can make the past serve the present, and draw inspiration for better building modern Chinese civilization," said Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to the Yin Ruins in Anyang city, central China's Henan Province, in October 2022.

The Yin Ruins, dating back over 3,000 years, were once the capital of the late Shang (Yin) Dynasty (1600 B.C.-1046 B.C.), confirmed through documented evidence and archaeological excavations. The Yin Ruins and the oracle bone inscriptions unearthed there provide conclusive proof of the dynasty, extending recorded Chinese history by nearly 1,000 years earlier than previously believed.

A new building of Yinxu Museum in Anyang city officially opened to the public on Feb. 26, 2024. The museum showcases nearly 4,000 items or sets of cultural relics, including bronzeware, pottery, oracle bones, and jade objects. Over three-fourths of these relics are being shown to the public for the first time.

Chinese civilization boasts a rich and uninterrupted history, and archaeology has played a crucial role in preserving and passing down its cultural heritage. It is essential for understanding the depth and significance of Chinese culture.

In the outskirts of Anyang, Jiao Peng, a senior technician at the Anyang Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, and his colleagues were conducting excavations, battling against wind and sand.

Archaeological work is physically demanding, often taking place in harsh and challenging environments.

Jiao developed a deep passion for archeology as a child, thanks to his father's influence. Despite moments of exhaustion, his unwavering love for archaeology has always prevailed.

As a grassroots archaeologist, Jiao takes on various responsibilities. In the initial stages, he draws, scrapes, takes photographs, and cleans skeletons. Later, he restores pottery and writes reports.

"When the artifacts I excavated are displayed in the museum and receive praise from viewers, I feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment. It is the ultimate reward for me," Jiao expressed.

Many archaeologists, like Jiao, dedicate their efforts to excavating ancient sites and unearthing buried cultural relics, bringing them to museums and revealing history to the world.

"Ancient people are able to communicate their thoughts to modern people through these picture-like symbols. I find this truly amazing," said Li Xiaoyang, head of the Cultural Relics Bureau of Anyang.

The character formation methods in oracle bone inscriptions reflect our ancestors' views on the relationship between humanity and nature, their understanding of nature, and their perspectives on human relationships. The structure of Chinese characters has remained unchanged. This continuation is the true Chinese gene, Li explained.