On October 19, during an academic symposium titled “Bronze Civilization in the Yangtze River Basin: Perspectives on Interaction and Exchange,” held in Sichuan’s Guanghan, Chen Xingcan, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of History and Director of the Archaeological Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, made some insightful remarks.
Chen highlighted the interplay of bronze civilizations between the Yangtze and Yellow River basins, asserting that together they construct a vibrant cultural narrative for China’s Bronze Age. He pointed out that the Yangtze River is one of the birthplaces of Chinese civilization, representing a pivotal symbol of the Chinese nation and its cultural heritage. Notably, the Yangtze River basin boasts China’s richest copper resources. As the Shang Dynasty expanded southward into the middle reaches of the Yangtze, they transported southern copper resources northward while also introducing advanced bronze smelting techniques. This exchange laid a crucial material foundation for the development of bronze civilization in the Yangtze River basin, marking the commencement of its Bronze Age.
Chen explained that the early inhabitants of the Yangtze River basin absorbed bronze smelting technologies and ritual practices from the Central Plains, and, blending these with their local traditions and natural environment, gradually established a unique bronze civilization system characterized by the Ba-Shu, Jing-Chu, and Wu-Yue cultures. He described the diverse and integrative cultural landscape of the Yangtze River’s bronze civilization as a significant reflection of China’s multi-faceted yet cohesive cultural identity.
The ongoing archaeological research into the interactions between the bronze civilization of the Yangtze River basin and nearby regions, Chen stated, holds substantial academic value and real-world significance. He elaborated on Sichuan’s historical role as a vital center for cultural exchange, highlighting landmark archaeological sites such as the Sanxingdui in Guanghan and Jinsha in Chengdu that showcase the uniqueness and creativity of ancient Shu civilization.
Particularly notable are the recent discoveries at the Sanxingdui site, where six sacrificial pits have yielded remarkable artifacts, including fragments of gold masks, bird-shaped gold ornaments, gold leaf, painted copper human faces, large bronze masks, a bronze sacred tree, ivory pieces, exquisite carved ivory remnants, and jade artifacts. These findings not only reinforce the idea that ancient Shu civilization was a significant part of the broader Chinese civilization but also indicate its advanced state during that period.
Moreover, the artifacts unearthed in the region clearly demonstrate strong cultural connections with the Central Plains and the Jianghan Plain, underscoring Sichuan’s vital role in the interaction and mutual influences between the bronze civilizations of the Yangtze River and Yellow River basins.
Chen expressed a hopeful vision for the conference, encouraging participating scholars to engage deeply with the theme of “Bronze Civilization in the Yangtze River Basin: Perspectives on Interaction and Exchange,” aiming to advance research in this area and to provide further academic and theoretical support for understanding the diverse and unified nature of Chinese civilization.
Since its establishment in 1979, the Chinese Archaeological Society has held 20 nationwide and themed academic conferences, and since 2016, it has hosted the Chinese Archaeological Congress, focusing on cutting-edge topics in the field and showcasing the latest discoveries and research results in Chinese archaeology, thereby fostering greater communication and interaction across various archaeological disciplines.
