Under the guidance of the Anhui Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, the New Pavilion of Anhui Museum in Shushan District will open the preview of "The History of Anhui Civilization: Anhui During the Xia, Shang, and Zhou Periods" on May 1, 2025. This monumental exhibition gathers over 900 precious cultural relics, including 180 national first-class artifacts, and will utilize a grand narrative space of 1,400 square meters to systematically reveal Anhui's crucial role in the development of China's Bronze Age civilization. After optimization during the preview period, the exhibition will officially open on May 18, International Museum Day.

As an important part of the birthplace of Chinese civilization, Anhui has consistently played a pivotal role during the Xia, Shang, and Zhou periods. The exhibition outlines a comprehensive 3,000-year timeline of civilization, from the founding of the Xia Dynasty to the flourishing of Chu culture, through five major thematic sections, such as "Tracing Xia's Footprints" and "Illustrious Shang Domain." Important historical scenes, including the Jianghuai region as a witness to the rise and fall of the Xia Dynasty, the Huaihe River basin as a strategic pivot during the Shang Dynasty, and the competition for bronze resources between the Huaiyi ethnic group and the Central Plains dynasties, will be vividly recreated through the latest archaeological findings.

Notably, the exhibition features precious artifacts that reflect the cultural fusion of Wu, Yue, and Chu states, showcasing the stunning tableau of a "cultural melting pot" during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. Exquisite bronze ritual vessels and jade artifacts unearthed from the Chu capital in Shouchun not only highlight the peak achievements of Chu culture but also witness the historical process of diverse civilizations converging into the river of Chinese civilization.

"This is the first exhibition in our province to systematically present the full picture of civilization development during the Xia, Shang, and Zhou periods," stated the curator. The exhibition includes a public feedback section, aiming to refine the display content and interactive experience further based on social responses during the preview, striving to create a cultural feast that combines academic depth with visual appeal.

Source: anhuinews.com