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TOPIC
Homo erectus reached what is now China more than a million years ago, while written records date back beyond 1200BC. Archaeologists are even now adding to and expanding our understanding of the rich history of ancient China and pre-Chinese civilisations.
The Sanxingdui site in southwest China's Sichuan province is one of the world’s most important archaeological discoveries. Thousands of remarkable artefacts, dating back to the 12th and 11th centuries BC, have been found at the site. The discovery of the site challenges the traditional narrative that Chinese civilization spread from the central plain of the Yellow River. Some even believe the culture reflected in the Sanxingdui ruins originates from aliens while that is disputed by scientists.
Chinese archaeologists have confirmed the discovery of ancient sutras that date back to the Tubo period (618-642) in Tibet, according to Chinese state media. The new batch of historical documents also includes imperial edicts from the Yuan dynasty and seals of Phags-pa script, which serve as important evidence of central governance during that time.
Chinese archaeologists have confirmed the discovery of ancient sutras that date back to the Tubo period (618-642) in Tibet, according to Chinese state media. The new batch of historical documents also includes imperial edicts from the Yuan dynasty and seals of Phags-pa script, which serve as important evidence of central governance during that time.
A massive dig unearthed over 500 sophisticated artefacts in the Sanxingdui archaeological site in China’s southwestern province of Sichuan. The dig, which started in 2019, found treasures that had no apparent connection to known Chinese culture and were likely used for religious or magical ceremonies. The amount of items discovered suggests the existence of a prosperous, yet unknown civilisation that may have been economically prosperous and technologically advanced.
A massive dig unearthed over 500 sophisticated artefacts in the Sanxingdui archaeological site in China’s southwestern province of Sichuan. The dig, which started in 2019, found treasures that had no apparent connection to known Chinese culture and were likely used for religious or magical ceremonies. The amount of items discovered suggests the existence of a prosperous, yet unknown civilisation that may have been economically prosperous and technologically advanced.
China’s 400-year-old houses of Wengding were lost after a devastating fire.
China’s 400-year-old houses of Wengding were lost after a devastating fire.
Li Pengfei has guarded relics of the ancient kingdom of Loulan in China’s western Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region for 12 years, charged with the task of keeping would-be tomb raiders away from what was once an important oasis city along the Silk Road. Li and his small team also face a huge personal challenge – enduring months of discomfort and loneliness with no mobile phone signals, limited water and few interactions with other humans.
Li Pengfei has guarded relics of the ancient kingdom of Loulan in China’s western Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region for 12 years, charged with the task of keeping would-be tomb raiders away from what was once an important oasis city along the Silk Road. Li and his small team also face a huge personal challenge – enduring months of discomfort and loneliness with no mobile phone signals, limited water and few interactions with other humans.
More than 3,500 ancient tombs have been found at an airport expansion project on the outskirts of Xian in China’s northwestern province of Shaanxi. Xian is where the world-famous terracotta army of life-size soldier sculptures was discovered in the 1970s. Archaeologists have been working at the airport expansion site, rushing to stay ahead of construction work as they unearth thousands of cultural relics dating back to the Warring States period (475-221BC) until the Qing dynasty (1644-1912). More than 1,000 people were involved in archaeological excavation efforts at the site during the recent Lunar New Year holiday.
More than 3,500 ancient tombs have been found at an airport expansion project on the outskirts of Xian in China’s northwestern province of Shaanxi. Xian is where the world-famous terracotta army of life-size soldier sculptures was discovered in the 1970s. Archaeologists have been working at the airport expansion site, rushing to stay ahead of construction work as they unearth thousands of cultural relics dating back to the Warring States period (475-221BC) until the Qing dynasty (1644-1912). More than 1,000 people were involved in archaeological excavation efforts at the site during the recent Lunar New Year holiday.
Hoping to head off damage from future flood in a nearby river, workers spent more than a week shifting a century-old building in China’s eastern province of Zhejiang. They managed to move the building in one piece over a distance of 55 metres (180ft), finishing the job on July 29, 2020.
Hoping to head off damage from future flood in a nearby river, workers spent more than a week shifting a century-old building in China’s eastern province of Zhejiang. They managed to move the building in one piece over a distance of 55 metres (180ft), finishing the job on July 29, 2020.
Archaeologists and Chinese medical experts say that they have unearthed the earliest example of processed traditional Chinese medicine from the tomb of the ninth emperor of the Western Han Dynasty in Jiangxi province.
Archaeologists and Chinese medical experts say that they have unearthed the earliest example of processed traditional Chinese medicine from the tomb of the ninth emperor of the Western Han Dynasty in Jiangxi province.
Receding waters in China’s largest freshwater lake in the eastern province of Jiangxi each year reveal normally submerged features of a 1,000-year-old historic island and former lighthouse.
Receding waters in China’s largest freshwater lake in the eastern province of Jiangxi each year reveal normally submerged features of a 1,000-year-old historic island and former lighthouse.
The legendary princess, educated in France and exposed to Western cultures, served as Empress Dowager’s lady-in-waiting and interpreter
The legendary princess, educated in France and exposed to Western cultures, served as Empress Dowager’s lady-in-waiting and interpreter
British geographer, author and unofficial wall ambassador who lives nearby urges visitors to get fit, rise early and take in the wilderness at weekends
British geographer, author and unofficial wall ambassador who lives nearby urges visitors to get fit, rise early and take in the wilderness at weekends
Analysing sedimentary records from the Red River, which originates on the southeast Tibetan plateau and enters the South China Sea near Hanoi, scientists found traces of aggressive human activities, such as the massive destruction of forests, farming, and mining, from the Han Dynasty onwards.
Analysing sedimentary records from the Red River, which originates on the southeast Tibetan plateau and enters the South China Sea near Hanoi, scientists found traces of aggressive human activities, such as the massive destruction of forests, farming, and mining, from the Han Dynasty onwards.
Researchers have discovered what could be a “playground” of early hominids nearly two million years ago.
Researchers have discovered what could be a “playground” of early hominids nearly two million years ago.
Climate change is having a "bipolar" effect in the South China Sea, warming waters up to three times faster in winter than in summer, mainland scientists say.
Climate change is having a "bipolar" effect in the South China Sea, warming waters up to three times faster in winter than in summer, mainland scientists say.
A 2,200-year old 1.3-metre long crossbow believed to have had a range of up to 800 metres has been found by archaeologists during excavations in China
A 2,200-year old 1.3-metre long crossbow believed to have had a range of up to 800 metres has been found by archaeologists during excavations in China
The earliest celadon - one of the most delicate types of Chinese pottery glazed with pure, green jasper - was produced at a "hi-tech" centre in Luoyang, Henan, about 3,700 years ago.
The earliest celadon - one of the most delicate types of Chinese pottery glazed with pure, green jasper - was produced at a "hi-tech" centre in Luoyang, Henan, about 3,700 years ago.