fluktor -|||- study - office - newsletter October 22, 2005

Henan records new discoveries in big relic sites
www.chinaview.cn 2005-10-18 09:42:56

ZHENGZHOU, Oct. 18 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese archeologists, attending the fourth convention sponsored by Henan Archeologist Association, has summed up and unveiled some important new discoveries in recent years, which they found in four big relic sites in this history-laden central Chinese province.

Dr. Xu Hong, head of the Erlitou Archaeological Team under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said new important cultural relics have been continuing to show up in the Erlitou site in Yanshi county, some 100 kilometers west of Zhengzhou, Henan's capital city.

Xu said the outstanding discoveries in the site in recent yearswere four intercrossing roads around the palace complex, two-phaserammed-earth foundations in this complex, and the enclosing walls of the complex. Of no less significance are groups of elite burials, wheel imprints, rammed-earth walls, and workshops for making turquoise artifacts, according to Xu.

Xu said that new discoveries testify that the palace complex found here was the earliest of its kind ever discovered in China.

Inside the palace complex were found, for the first time, rows of elite burials, such as cinnabar powder, coffins, bronze artifacts, and turquoise artifacts. Of acute scientific and artistic interest was a dragon-shaped object coated with turquoise flakes, said Xu.

The wheel imprints discovered on the southern road of the palace complex are also the earliest in China, according to Xu.

Discovered in 1959, Erlitou is the largest site associated withErlitou culture (1900 BC - 1500 BC) on a land of three square km. The culture was widely spread throughout Henan and Shanxi provinces, and later appeared in Shaanxi and Hubei provinces.

Most Chinese archaeologists identify the Erlitou culture as thesite of the later period of the Xia Dynasty (2100 BC - 1600 BC), while western archaeologists remain unconvinced of the connection between Erlitou culture and the Xia Dynasty.

In another site, Zhao Qingqing, member of the Xinzhai Archaeological Team under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said a large-scale shallow-hole-like building was found in the center of the Xinzhai Site in Xinmi county, some 50 kilometers south of downtown Zhengzhou.

Zhao said the building, which Chinese archeologists previously called a large building without knowing how it was used, was believed to be an outdoor hole-like place often used by primitive dwellers for public activities, particularly for big sacrificial ceremonies.

The building was so far the biggest of its kind in the same period discovered in China, which Zhao said was of great significance in exploring building landscape in the site, judging the character of the site and studying the origin of the Chinese civilization.

The third was the Neolithic Xipo Site in Lingbao county, some 380 kilometers west of Zhengzhou.

Ma Xiaolin, member of the Xipo Archaeological Team under Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, said after the discovery of two surprisingly large semi-subterranean houses, they found a cemetery in the site in July this year.

Within the cemetery were discovered 22 burials of the middle Yangshao Culture (around 5500 BC) with abundant burial offerings including jade, stone, bone objects and pottery. Ma said that although similar in structure, the 22 burials were different in both size and burial offerings.

The cemetery, said Ma, was set to provide archeologists with rare materials to study the burial custom and social system of themiddle Yangshao Culture.

Ma said though middle Yangshao culture was famous for its painted pottery, no cemetery of that period has ever been found, and social structure of the owners of the fine pottery remained a secret to Chinese archaeologists.

Ma said thanks to the fieldwork at Xipo, archaeologists now could have a better understanding of the development of social complexity during that period. Many archeologists suggest that theperiod could be regarded as a starting point of the origin of the Chinese civilization, according to Ma.

The last was the Lingjing Paleolithic Site, in Xuchang city, some 200 kilometers south of Zhengzhou.

Li Zhanyang, member of the Lingjing Archaeological Team under Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, said it was the first for Chinese archeologists to excavate the site found some 40 years ago.

Li said the excavation had found more than 2,000 pieces of stone and bone objects, including 15 ground stone and bone objects. Also during the excavation was found, for the first time,a ground carving object at the Old Stone Age, according to Li.

Li said the Lingjing Site, with fountains as its center and featuring lakes and wetland, was the first site ever found in China at the Old Stone Age.

Li predicted the site could become a key source of material forChinese archeologists to study major scientific subjects since it was one of the relic sites boasting the amplest cultural relics and information.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/18/content_3637190.htm

**************************

1,700-year-old tomb complex discovered in Zhejiang
www.chinaview.cn 2005-10-18 09:02:24

HANGZHOU, Oct. 18 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese archaeologists have unearthed a tomb complex dating back to the period of the Three Kingdoms (220-280) in east China's Zhejiang Province early this week.

A 1.6 meters-wide, 2 meter-deep, and 5 meters-long tomb has already been excavated in the Dongqiao township of Ningbo. Inscriptions on the tomb relics clearly show it was built in 256, said Ding Youfu, member of the archaeological team.

"Figures embodying fish, beasts, dragons, phoenixes and money can be seen in the wall of the grave," Ding said. "They are incredibly refined and clearcut."

This is so far the best-reserved ancient tomb ever discovered in the region despite a crack on the roof, according to Ding. Future excavation will be conducted in the nearby area covering 5,000 square meters, within which archaeologists believe there are at least five other ancient tombs clustering near the current one,said Xie Guoqi, another member of the team..

Other objects discovered at the site include porcelain vessels,copper cash, and bronze mirrors, according to Xie.

The tomb complex was discovered by a forklift worker at the building site of a refuse dump.

The site is still under excavation by the archaeological team.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/18/content_3636901.htm

**************************

China's treasured Buddha finger to be enshrined in ROK
www.chinaview.cn 2005-10-18 01:58:18

BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- A relic believed to be the sacred finger of Sakyamuni Buddha will be enshrined in the Republic of Korea (ROK) for 42 days since Nov. 11 in, according to a press conference jointly held by China and ROK Buddhist associations here Monday.

Believed to be one of the fingers of Buddha, the 2,500-year-oldbone is currently kept at the Famen Temple in Xi'an, capital of west China's Shaanxi province. It had been lying in obscurity in asecret underground chamber for more than 1,100 years.

It will be the fourth time for the bone to be worshiped outsidethe Chinese mainland after worships respectively in Thailand in 1994, Taiwan in 2002, Hong Kong in 2004.

This display will be the first appearance of the relic in ROK, which is expected to usher in peace and calm for the locals.

Describing this display as one of the most important religious exchanges between China and ROK in ever history, Xue Cheng, abbot of Famen temple, said "The display will further enhance the traditional friendship and understanding between the people and Buddhists of the two countries."

The ROK organizers had delivered an application for the relic display in 2004 via the China Buddhist Association to the State Council, or the Chinese cabinet, and got approval later.

The ROK organizers said they will provide security documents signed by its government and make a detailed plan to ensure the display carried out smoothly.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/18/content_3636183.htm

******************************

Xi'an plans greater protection
www.chinaview.cn 2005-10-19 08:27:58

BEIJING, Oct. 19 -- Xi'an, a city with a history of more than 1,000 years and host to the current ICOMOS 15th General Assembly, is working to ensure its culture remains preserved for another millennium.

"The local government will try its best to protect the city's special appearance and features, making Xi'an a 'museum city,' preserving, continuing and developing Chinese traditional culture," said Sun Qingyun, mayor of Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

Two projects are being planned for next year to protect and better preserve cultural relics in and around the ancient city, Sun said.

Xi'an, in ancient times known as Chang'an (peace forever), is one of the cradles of Chinese civilization. Beginning in the 11th century BC the city served as capital for 13 dynasties over some 1,100 years.

The end of the old Silk Road and the first city in the world to have a population of one million, for centuries Xi'an has been a symbol of oriental civilization.

"Its prominent place in history has bequeathed Xi'an a great number of monuments, buildings, sites and ruins, many of which are the remains of imperial palaces. The tomb of Qin Shihuang, the site of the terracotta army, is inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List," said Zheng Yulin, director of the Xi'an Administration of Cultural Heritage.

Michael Petzet, chairman of International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) has said he believes tombs from the Tang Dynasty, located to the north of Xi'an, should also be on the list of World Heritage.

The mausoleums, known as "the 18 tombs on the Guanzhong Plain," are the burial site of the Tang Dynasty emperors and empresses

Petzet said Xi'an should draw up an application and submit it to ICOMOS' China Council.

The mayor of Xi'an said his government will further improve the legal system to better protect ancient remains following on from the October 1st Protection Regulations for Emperor Qin Shihuang's Mausoleum, the first local law brought in for a single cultural heritage site.

Rapid economic development and urbanization is a great challenge to the protection of ancient sites, said Shan Jixiang, director of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage.

"We should have a basic policy for urbanization protecting heritage and at the same time finding new districts for economic development," Shan said.

(Source: China Daily)

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/19/content_3644603.htm

__________________

with kind regards,

Matthias Arnold
(Art-Eastasia list)

http://www.chinaresource.org
http://www.fluktor.de

__________________________________________

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For postings earlier than 2005-02-23 please go to:
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	October 22, 2005: [achtung! kunst] archaeology

	Henan records new discoveries in big relic sites www.chinaview.cn 2005-10-18 09:42:56 ZHENGZHOU, Oct. 18 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese archeologists, attending the fourth convention sponsored by Henan Archeologist Association, has summed up and unveiled some important new discoveries in recent years, which they found in four big relic sites in this history-laden central Chinese province. Dr. Xu Hong, head of the Erlitou Archaeological Team under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said new important cultural relics have been continuing to show up in the Erlitou site in Yanshi county, some 100 kilometers west of Zhengzhou, Henan's capital city. Xu said the outstanding discoveries in the site in recent yearswere four intercrossing roads around the palace complex, two-phaserammed-earth foundations in this complex, and the enclosing walls of the complex. Of no less significance are groups of elite burials, wheel imprints, rammed-earth walls, and workshops for making turquoise artifacts, according to Xu. Xu said that new discoveries testify that the palace complex found here was the earliest of its kind ever discovered in China. Inside the palace complex were found, for the first time, rows of elite burials, such as cinnabar powder, coffins, bronze artifacts, and turquoise artifacts. Of acute scientific and artistic interest was a dragon-shaped object coated with turquoise flakes, said Xu. The wheel imprints discovered on the southern road of the palace complex are also the earliest in China, according to Xu. Discovered in 1959, Erlitou is the largest site associated withErlitou culture (1900 BC - 1500 BC) on a land of three square km. The culture was widely spread throughout Henan and Shanxi provinces, and later appeared in Shaanxi and Hubei provinces. Most Chinese archaeologists identify the Erlitou culture as thesite of the later period of the Xia Dynasty (2100 BC - 1600 BC), while western archaeologists remain unconvinced of the connection between Erlitou culture and the Xia Dynasty. In another site, Zhao Qingqing, member of the Xinzhai Archaeological Team under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said a large-scale shallow-hole-like building was found in the center of the Xinzhai Site in Xinmi county, some 50 kilometers south of downtown Zhengzhou. Zhao said the building, which Chinese archeologists previously called a large building without knowing how it was used, was believed to be an outdoor hole-like place often used by primitive dwellers for public activities, particularly for big sacrificial ceremonies. The building was so far the biggest of its kind in the same period discovered in China, which Zhao said was of great significance in exploring building landscape in the site, judging the character of the site and studying the origin of the Chinese civilization. The third was the Neolithic Xipo Site in Lingbao county, some 380 kilometers west of Zhengzhou. Ma Xiaolin, member of the Xipo Archaeological Team under Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, said after the discovery of two surprisingly large semi-subterranean houses, they found a cemetery in the site in July this year. Within the cemetery were discovered 22 burials of the middle Yangshao Culture (around 5500 BC) with abundant burial offerings including jade, stone, bone objects and pottery. Ma said that although similar in structure, the 22 burials were different in both size and burial offerings. The cemetery, said Ma, was set to provide archeologists with rare materials to study the burial custom and social system of themiddle Yangshao Culture. Ma said though middle Yangshao culture was famous for its painted pottery, no cemetery of that period has ever been found, and social structure of the owners of the fine pottery remained a secret to Chinese archaeologists. Ma said thanks to the fieldwork at Xipo, archaeologists now could have a better understanding of the development of social complexity during that period. Many archeologists suggest that theperiod could be regarded as a starting point of the origin of the Chinese civilization, according to Ma. The last was the Lingjing Paleolithic Site, in Xuchang city, some 200 kilometers south of Zhengzhou. Li Zhanyang, member of the Lingjing Archaeological Team under Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, said it was the first for Chinese archeologists to excavate the site found some 40 years ago. Li said the excavation had found more than 2,000 pieces of stone and bone objects, including 15 ground stone and bone objects. Also during the excavation was found, for the first time,a ground carving object at the Old Stone Age, according to Li. Li said the Lingjing Site, with fountains as its center and featuring lakes and wetland, was the first site ever found in China at the Old Stone Age. Li predicted the site could become a key source of material forChinese archeologists to study major scientific subjects since it was one of the relic sites boasting the amplest cultural relics and information. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/18/content_3637190.htm ************************ 1,700-year-old tomb complex discovered in Zhejiang www.chinaview.cn 2005-10-18 09:02:24 HANGZHOU, Oct. 18 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese archaeologists have unearthed a tomb complex dating back to the period of the Three Kingdoms (220-280) in east China's Zhejiang Province early this week. A 1.6 meters-wide, 2 meter-deep, and 5 meters-long tomb has already been excavated in the Dongqiao township of Ningbo. Inscriptions on the tomb relics clearly show it was built in 256, said Ding Youfu, member of the archaeological team. "Figures embodying fish, beasts, dragons, phoenixes and money can be seen in the wall of the grave," Ding said. "They are incredibly refined and clearcut." This is so far the best-reserved ancient tomb ever discovered in the region despite a crack on the roof, according to Ding. Future excavation will be conducted in the nearby area covering 5,000 square meters, within which archaeologists believe there are at least five other ancient tombs clustering near the current one,said Xie Guoqi, another member of the team.. Other objects discovered at the site include porcelain vessels,copper cash, and bronze mirrors, according to Xie. The tomb complex was discovered by a forklift worker at the building site of a refuse dump. The site is still under excavation by the archaeological team. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/18/content_3636901.htm ********************** China's treasured Buddha finger to be enshrined in ROK www.chinaview.cn 2005-10-18 01:58:18 BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- A relic believed to be the sacred finger of Sakyamuni Buddha will be enshrined in the Republic of Korea (ROK) for 42 days since Nov. 11 in, according to a press conference jointly held by China and ROK Buddhist associations here Monday. Believed to be one of the fingers of Buddha, the 2,500-year-oldbone is currently kept at the Famen Temple in Xi'an, capital of west China's Shaanxi province. It had been lying in obscurity in asecret underground chamber for more than 1,100 years. It will be the fourth time for the bone to be worshiped outsidethe Chinese mainland after worships respectively in Thailand in 1994, Taiwan in 2002, Hong Kong in 2004. This display will be the first appearance of the relic in ROK, which is expected to usher in peace and calm for the locals. Describing this display as one of the most important religious exchanges between China and ROK in ever history, Xue Cheng, abbot of Famen temple, said "The display will further enhance the traditional friendship and understanding between the people and Buddhists of the two countries." The ROK organizers had delivered an application for the relic display in 2004 via the China Buddhist Association to the State Council, or the Chinese cabinet, and got approval later. The ROK organizers said they will provide security documents signed by its government and make a detailed plan to ensure the display carried out smoothly. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/18/content_3636183.htm **************************** Xi'an plans greater protection www.chinaview.cn 2005-10-19 08:27:58 BEIJING, Oct. 19 -- Xi'an, a city with a history of more than 1,000 years and host to the current ICOMOS 15th General Assembly, is working to ensure its culture remains preserved for another millennium. "The local government will try its best to protect the city's special appearance and features, making Xi'an a 'museum city,' preserving, continuing and developing Chinese traditional culture," said Sun Qingyun, mayor of Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi Province. Two projects are being planned for next year to protect and better preserve cultural relics in and around the ancient city, Sun said. Xi'an, in ancient times known as Chang'an (peace forever), is one of the cradles of Chinese civilization. Beginning in the 11th century BC the city served as capital for 13 dynasties over some 1,100 years. The end of the old Silk Road and the first city in the world to have a population of one million, for centuries Xi'an has been a symbol of oriental civilization. "Its prominent place in history has bequeathed Xi'an a great number of monuments, buildings, sites and ruins, many of which are the remains of imperial palaces. The tomb of Qin Shihuang, the site of the terracotta army, is inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List," said Zheng Yulin, director of the Xi'an Administration of Cultural Heritage. Michael Petzet, chairman of International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) has said he believes tombs from the Tang Dynasty, located to the north of Xi'an, should also be on the list of World Heritage. The mausoleums, known as "the 18 tombs on the Guanzhong Plain," are the burial site of the Tang Dynasty emperors and empresses Petzet said Xi'an should draw up an application and submit it to ICOMOS' China Council. The mayor of Xi'an said his government will further improve the legal system to better protect ancient remains following on from the October 1st Protection Regulations for Emperor Qin Shihuang's Mausoleum, the first local law brought in for a single cultural heritage site. Rapid economic development and urbanization is a great challenge to the protection of ancient sites, said Shan Jixiang, director of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage. "We should have a basic policy for urbanization protecting heritage and at the same time finding new districts for economic development," Shan said. (Source: China Daily) http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/19/content_3644603.htm __________________ with kind regards, Matthias Arnold (Art-Eastasia list) http://www.chinaresource.org http://www.fluktor.de __________________________________________ An archive of this list as well as an subscribe/unsubscribe facility is available at: http://listserv.uni-heidelberg.de/archives/art-eastasia.html For postings earlier than 2005-02-23 please go to: http://www.fluktor.de/study/office/newsletter.htm