Renowned archaeologist discusses 25-year commitment to Yinxu ruins

The new building of the Yinxu Museum in Anyang, Henan Province Photo: VCG

 The unveiling of the Yinxu Museum on February 26 marks a milestone in the culmination of nearly a century of archaeological endeavors at the Yinxu ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site nestled along the banks of the Huanhe River in Anyang, Central China's Henan Province.

At the ongoing two sessions, He Yuling, deputy director of the Anyang Workstation at the Institute of Archaeology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CASS), shared the captivating saga behind his 25-year-long commitment to the excavations at the Yinxu ruins.

"Archaeologists are akin to detectives, unraveling the mysteries of ancient civilizations, which resonated deeply with me," said He.

The Yinxu ruins were once the capital of the late Shang Dynasty (c.1600BC-c.1046BC). They have been excavated by generations of archaeologists, yielding rich information about the highly advanced Bronze Age civilization of ancient China.

"My unwavering dedication began 25 years ago during my first year of work when, under the guidance of my seniors, we braved sub-zero temperatures and heavy snow to excavate a remarkably preserved tomb of a high-ranking Shang Dynasty noble," He recalled.

"As we unearthed a splendid bronze ox vessel with frozen hands clutching shovels and brushes, the excitement was palpable. It was the only bovine-shaped bronze container discovered at Yinxu at the time," He recounted.

Understanding that archaeology is far more than a treasure hunt, He emphasized the collaborative effort involved in deciphering ancient puzzles. "Following the field excavation, we assembled an interdisciplinary team comprising experts in human remains, animals, plants, metallurgy, and conservation. After over four years of painstaking work, we unraveled a mystery dating back over three millennia."

Bronze inscriptions revealed the tomb's occupant to be a Ya Zhang (Ya means an army chief, and Zhang is the tomb owner's family name), identified through scientific analysis as a 35-year-old male, standing at 170 centimeters tall.

Buried alongside seven bronze axes symbolizing military authority, the array of weapons indicated his prowess as a military strategist. Traces of severe cuts, stabs, and wounds on his skeletal remains bore testimony to his valor in battle.

"My colleagues and I have made several significant archaeological breakthroughs as well," he continued. "From discovering wide avenues capable of accommodating multiple chariots to unearthing grandiose temples within the palace temple area and delineating sacred precincts with boundary ditches, our findings have propelled the exploration of Yinxu to new heights."

He also spoke warmly about the new museum. "Just eight days ago, the majestic new Yinxu Museum was officially inaugurated, boasting a sprawling exhibition space spanning 22,000 square meters and showcasing nearly 4,000 artifacts. Employing novel concepts and methodologies, the museum systematically unveils the essence of the Bronze Age civilization from over 3,000 years ago."

The exhibits in the new museum include oracle bones, pottery, bronzeware, and jade artifacts, offering visitors a captivating journey through the Shang Dynasty's cultural richness. Notably, more than 75 percent of these invaluable treasures are on public display for the first time, spotlighting recent archaeological triumphs.

The most well-known sacrificial bronze item in the world, the enormous bronze cauldron known as the Houmuwu Ding discovered at the Yinxu Ruins is a treasure of Chinese bronze culture.

With a weight of 875 kilos, the cauldron is 133 centimeters in height and 79.2 centimeters in circumference around its rim, making it the world's heaviest ancient bronze item. About 3,000 years ago, a young prince probably had it cast as a sacrificial vessel for a funeral tribute to his mother who had passed away.

"Discovering and pinpointing the Yinxu site was the starting point and foundation of exploring the cultures of the Xia (c.2070BC-c.1600BC) and Shang dynasties, and tracing the origins of Chinese civilization," Wang Wei, chief expert of a national project to trace the origins of Chinese civilization and president of the Chinese Society of Archaeology, told the Global Times.