On July 11, 2018, Ritual from East China - An Exhibition of Archaeological Discoveries of Shandong Jiaojia Archaeological Site co-hosted by Shandong University, Shandong Province Bureau of Cultural Relics and the People’s Government of Jinan opened at the west hall of the National Museum of China (NMC), which was attended by Liu Yuzhu, Director of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, Wang Chunfa, Director of the National Museum of China, Fan Liming, Principal of Shandong University, Zhao Hui, Professor from Peking University, Chen Xingcan, Director of Institute of Archeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences，Zhou Xiaobo, Deputy Director and Deputy Secretary of Leading Party Members’ Group of Shandong Province Bureau of Cultural Relics, Liu Tiandong, Secretary of the CPC Jinan Zhangqiu District Committee, Fang Hui, Liu Jun, Luan Fengshi, Wang Fen, respectively Dean, Secretary of the Party committee, Professor and Deputy Dean of the School of History and Culture, Shandong University. Chen Chengjun, Deputy Director of the National Museum of China, presided at the ceremony.
In his speech, Wang Chunfa pointed out that the origin of Chinese civilization and the emergence of early states among other major topics are critical issues to be solved for Chinese Archaeological research. In 2016, archaeological researchers of Shandong University once again discovered the culturally-loaded Dawenkou middle-and-late relics dating back to over 5000 years ago at the Zhangqiu Jiaojia archaeological site. Large numbers of high-end ceremonial utensils in full sizes including jadeware (Yuqi), white pottery (Baitao), black pottery (Heitao) and colored pottery (Caitao) were unearthed, revealing the important historical fact that the Jiaojia archaeological site used to be a large settlement of political, economic and cultural significance in the Old Jishui River Basin in North Shandong. The discovery of the Jiaojia archaeological site, which located the important source for Longshan culture represented by Chengziya Archaeological Site, makes a big difference in revealing the 5000 years’ process of Chinese civilization, especially the civilization process of ancient society in east China. The National Museum of China is our nation’s authority in charge of the collection, protection, research, display and interpretation of representative objects that fully embody excellent Chinese traditional culture, revolutionary culture and advanced socialist culture. It also functions as a “cultural parlor” for China, bearing the unshakable duty and mission of showcasing the charm of Chinese civilization and the major achievements of Chinese culture and heritage. Ritual from East China - An Exhibition of Archaeological Discoveries of Shandong Jiaojia Archaeological Site was held in response to the theme of the times and expectations of the society. This exhibition brought together the latest archaeological discoveries of the Jiaojia archaeological site, unveiling those artifacts in their fullest varieties. With this new archaeological discovery and exhibition as an opportunity, we hope to trace back to the ancient times and appreciate China’s time-honored civilization in our unremitting efforts to facilitate the continued prosperity and development of excellent Chinese traditional culture.
Fan Liming, Principal of Shandong University, gave her speech at the opening ceremony.
This exhibition is divided into four parts under the themes of The Amazing Unearthing of Jiaojia Archaeological Site, The City of King, The Creation of the Ritual System and The Evolution of Craft Process. It displays over 230 antiques, ranging from large ceremonial utensils such as jade axe (Yu Yue) and jade sword (Yu Dao), to exquisite jade ornaments, and to daily utensils for everyday life, presenting the important archaeological discovery of the Jiaojia archaeological site in an all-round way. This exhibition is one of the NMC’s series exhibitions on new national archaeological discoveries. It ends September 9, 2018.