Cultural relics carry the splendid civilization, inherit the history and culture, and maintain the national spirit. The Jades from Hongshan: An Archaeological Achievements Exhibition of the Hongshan Culture co-organized by the National Museum of China, the Publicity Department of the Provincial CPC Committee of Liaoning, Liaoning Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism (Provincial Bureau of Cultural Heritage of Liaoning) and the Provincial Cultural Performing Arts Group of Liaoning (Provincial Public Cultural Service Center of Liaoning), opened on October 17 at the NMC.
Wang Chunfa, Director of the National Museum of China, Guan Qiang, Deputy Director of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, Shan Wei, Secretary of the CPC Committee of the NMC and Deputy Director of the NMC, Nong Tao, Executive Deputy Director of the Publicity Department of the Provincial CPC Committee of Liaoning, Zhang Keyu, Secretary of the Party leadership group and Director of the Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism of Liaoning, Han Wei, Secretary of the CPC Committee and Director of the Provincial Cultural Performing Arts Group of Liaoning (Provincial Public Cultural Service Center of Liaoning), and Wang Xiaowen, member of the standing committee of the CPC Committee and Deputy Director of the Provincial Cultural Performing Arts Group of Liaoning (Liaoning Provincial Public Cultural Service Center) and concurrently Director of Liaoning Provincial Museum, attended the opening ceremony. Shan Wei presided over the ceremony.
The Hongshan culture was first discovered in the early 20thcentury. Related archaeological excavations and research have witnessed the establishment and development of modern archaeology in China. In 1955, archaeologist Yin Da first proposed the term "Hongshan culture" in the book Chinese Neolithic Age. This exhibition features more than 160 precious cultural relics, demonstrating all the previous important discoveries and the latest archaeological achievements of Hongshan culture site. The exhibition is divided into three parts, which are “ritual focus on sacrifice”, “burial with jades” and “the dawn of civilization”. Among the exhibits are the C-shaped jasper dragon known as “the first dragon in China”, the jade penannular dragon, the jade hoof-shaped tubular ornaments and cloud-shaped jade ornaments unique to Hongshan culture, and also tube-shaped painted pottery and painted pottery lidded urns that represent the highest level and consummate skills in ceramics of the ancestors in Hongshan. The exhibits systematically presents the complete development and unique connotations of Hongshan culture.
Nong Tao said in his address that this archaeological achievement exhibition held at the National Museum of China, the highest establishment for history, culture and art in the country, has reflected the importance attached by the NMC to archaeology in Liaoning. He also predicted that this event will further boost the prestige of Liaoning culture and showcase the national treasure, history, and culture in Liaoning, thus building the influence of Liaoning culture.
According to Wang Chunfa, this exhibition is held as an implementation of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important instruction of “fully exert the important function of cultural relics in carrying the splendid civilization, inheriting the history and culture, and maintaining the national spirit.” The exhibition stresses on the distinctive characteristics of the long standing, extensive and profound Chinese civilization. He hopes that this exhibition will help the public to gain a more accurate understanding of the origin and historical development of Chinese civilization, feel its magnificence and brilliance and enhance self-confidence in our culture while visiting the exhibition at the NMC.
Guan Qiang, Deputy Director of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, announced the opening of the exhibition.
The exhibition is held in Gallery N9 and will run for three months.