For 5,000 years of Chinese civilization, "write a genealogy"

On May 27, the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China conducted the thirty -ninth collective study on deepening the Chinese civilization source project. Wang Wei, director and researcher of the Department of History of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, explained this issue. This is not the first time that the Political Bureau of the Central Committee has conducted collective learning on the theme of "archeology".

Let the world understand China, China must first understand itself. In 2002, the "Chinese Civilization Origin and Early Development Comprehensive Research" project was officially established, referred to as the "Chinese Civilization Source Project" for short. So far, the "China Civilization Source Project" has gone through a full 20 years.

Through a series of major archeological discoveries and comprehensive studies of multidisciplinary disciplines, the "Chinese Civilization Source Project" reveals the fact that Chinese civilization has a history of more than 5,000 years, and has written the 5,000 -year history of the Chinese nation.

△ Located at the Yaoshan site northeast corner of the ancient city of Liangzhu, Zhejiang. Photography/Pan Jincao

From "Dragon Project" to "Origin Research"

Regarding the origin of civilization, the international academic community began to pay attention very early and put forward many views and theories. However Knowing.

Since the 1920s, the task of rebuilding the ancient history of China has fallen historically on archeological shoulders. From the 1920s to the 1980s, the discovery and research of Chinese archeology gradually accumulated to a certain extent, and gradually met the conditions for the origin and formation of systematic research on Chinese civilization. A series of major discoveries of Chinese field archeology since the 1980s promoted the widespread attention of archeological disciplines on the issue of Chinese civilization.

At the end of 2000, the "Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasties Project" was backward. With the strong support of the National Science and Technology Program, the Institute of Archeology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the Peking University Archaeological Board Institute as the lead unit, more than 400 scientific research units nationwide organized more than 400 scientific research units. Scientific researchers, based on field archeology as the core and the joint research of natural science and humanities and social sciences, have implemented major projects of "the origin of Chinese civilization and early development".

△ The Archaeological excavation site of the Royal City of Shizheng in Shaanxi.

"The Chinese civilization exploration source project is based on archeological investigation and excavation as the main means to obtain relevant data, supported by modern science and technology, and adopting multidisciplinary cross -research methods to reveal the major scientific research projects of the 5,000 years of civilization and early development of the Chinese nation." Zhao Hui, vice chairman of the Chinese Archaeological Society and a professor at the Peking University Archaeological Board Institute, introduced in an interview with a reporter from the China Report. "The project revolves around 3500 BC to 1500 BC. Four capital sites such as Shenmu Shiwu and Henan Yanshi Erlitou, as well as other central sites in the Yellow River Basin, the Yangtze River Basin, and the Liaoshe Basin, carry out key excavations, and carry out large -scale archeological surveys on the settlement group around these sites to explore inquiry What are the processes of civilization in these areas and how the diversified pattern of Chinese civilization is formed. "

A nation and country, naturally concerned about where they come from, in Zhao Hui's view, this is the reason why archeology can become a simple reason. From the perspective of human history, the origin and early development of Chinese civilization are part of the origin and early development of human civilization and early development. Therefore, the source of Chinese civilization also fills a very important gap in the history of world civilization.

The context of clarifying the development of Chinese civilization

In the past 20 years, nearly 400 scholars participating in the exploration source project have not only evidenced the history of Chinese civilization with archeological data, but also demonstrated the rich connotation of Chinese civilization.

"Through comprehensive research, we have a clear grasp of the time nodes of the origin of Chinese civilization." Zhao Hui said that "civilization" has a variety of explanations and definitions. The emergence of the state form is a sign of the country as a sign of entering a civilized society. Now it is basically determined that before tens of thousands of years in Chinese historical agriculture, after a long accumulation, it has developed a relatively mature agricultural system until about 6,000 years or earlier. About 6000 years ago, local cultures in related areas have accelerated the development of civilization. 5,000 years ago, represented by Liangzhu Civilization, in the large range of the Yellow River Basin and the Yangtze River Basin, some places took the lead in entering the stage of civilization and established the country. Based on this as the starting point, about 3800 years ago, society in each place establishes its own country and enters civilization. "The phenomenon of many civilizations in many places also calls the era of 'ancient nations'."

"The exploration source project empirical the development of Chinese civilization is a process of diversity." Zhao Hui told the reporter of "China Report", "Mr. Su Bingqi has proposed that ancient Chinese culture was diversified and 'full star fights'. Based on diversified characteristics , Peking University Professor Yan Civilization summarizes the process of "integration" of Chinese civilization. The Yellow River Basin, the Yangtze River Basin, and civilization of the Xiliao River Basin have developed. The trend of integration. "

Zhao Hui pointed out that at the later stage of the "ancient country", the trend of integration was more obvious in the Central Plains. During this period, the Central Plains began to widely absorb the advanced factors of the surrounding culture, and became a core of harvest. This core provided a foundation for economic, cultural and etiquette on Wednesday's civilization on Wednesday. The three generations of civilizations are on this foundation and historical trend. △ Jade artifact unearthed from the Shijie site in Shaanxi.

"Through exploration of the Chinese civilization, we have evidenced that Chinese civilization is a native and local civilization. It is known that the origin and early development of Chinese civilization are a history that has not been directly recorded by the text. Now, we can finally do this history. Some descriptions can finally fill a very key historical time in Chinese history. "Zhao Hui concluded.

At the end of 2020, the fifth phase of the China Civilization Source Project had begun. "In the past two years of research, the project team further confirmed that there are multiple geographical units within the land of China. Different environments have led to different economic forms and breeding different cultures. Origin and colorful. "Recently, at the second session of the Cultural Relics and Technology Innovation Forum, Chen Xingcan, director and researcher of the Institute of Archeology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Chen Xingcan said that the exploration source project has carried out systematic field work, and more than 20 field work projects have made important breakthroughs; the topic subjects have a new understanding of the key time nodes of key sites, and they also try to use different annual technologies to explore ancient relics. Absolute age. In addition, in the past two years, the project team has also analyzed the human science, pathology, molecular biology, and isotope analysis technology in the past two years. The targets are concentrated, providing new clues and empirical development for early people's migration, flow, and social and cultural development.

"The prehistoric culture of the prehistoric culture in various regions has formed a common cultural gene, which has laid the foundation for the formation and development of the formation and development of unified multi -ethnic countries. Actively absorb the advanced cultural factors of other civilizations, and continuously innovate and endure on this basis. "Chen Xingcan said.

"Civilized Standard" Chinese Plan

The western academic circles have summarized the standards of text, metallurgical and cities based on the characteristics of civilization and ancient Egyptian civilization in the two river basins, and are called "three elements of civilization". If according to such standards, Chinese civilization can only be calculated from the late Shang Dynasty in Yin Ruins, with a history of only 3,000 years.

The 20 -year achievement of the "China Civilization Source Project" not only evidenced the history of China 5000 years of civilization, but also proposed a Chinese plan to judge the logo of civilized society, which is of great significance.

"When we applied the" Three Elements "standards to study prehistoric China, they found that they were not right." Zhao Hui said, "Establishing standards for civilization should be summarized in the study and improving universal characteristics, rather than holding in foreign countries. The standard list of materials is used to compare one by one. "

△ Dragon plate unearthed from the Tao Temple site of Xiangfen, Shanxi.

Zhao Hui told the reporter of the China News that according to the archeological materials of civilizations in various places in the "ancient country", they refined and summarized the four universal characteristics of entering a civilized society: First, productivity, agriculture and handicraft industry have developed considerablely; The second is the significant division of society; the third is the emergence of cities in politics, economy, and cultural centers; fourth, there is a kingship. These four articles, as the standard for judging civilization, reflect the characteristics of Chinese history. On the other hand, the difference between this characteristic judgment exists justly the development of human history not only its universal side and special side.

"We break through the criteria of metallurgical, text, and city '' three elements', because we found that in the world, the Mayan civilization in the Americas does not have metallurgical, the Inca civilization in South America does not use text, and the Harapa in the Indian River Basin in the Indian River Basin is The patterns on the seal of civilization have not been recognized as text. It can be seen that 'three elements' are not absolute standards, which are summarized from the civilization of the two river basins and the Egyptian civilization. "Zhao Hui said," We start from China, In accordance with the views of Marxism 'country is the generalization of human civilization, "the sign of entering civilization from archeological discovery: production development, increased population, cities; social division of labor, continuous strengthening of social division, and class; power continuously strengthened power; The emergence of kingship and the country, the country is a sign of entering a civilized society. Maybe it has no metallurgical, maybe it has no text, but the kingship and the country are common things. "

From the perspective of Liu Bantang, the dean of the Yangtze River Civilization and Archeology Institute of Wuhan University, the proposal of the "Chinese Plan" provides a more suitable and targeted theoretical framework for the study of the origin of Chinese civilization. On the other hand, it is rich and developed. The theory of the origin of civilization all mankind has pushed the study of the origin of world civilization from a uniform to diversified, from the perspective of the Western center to the global perspective. This is the "original contribution" made by Chinese scholars for the study of the origin of world civilization.

From the perspective of "local civilization standards", Chinese civilization has also formed its own distinctive characteristics in the origin, formation and development. "The main characteristics of Chinese civilization are diversified integration, harvesting, and continuous. The early development process of Chinese civilization is diversified, that is, from diversification to integration. It, including the collection and integration of civilizations in Central Asia and Western Asia. This is two important features of Chinese civilization. Our civilization is an open civilization and has a strong ability to integrate and absorb. The continuous civilization is Chinese civilization. We have not broken for 5000 years. This is also a characteristic of it. "Guan Qiang, deputy director of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage. The exploration source project does not have a clear "deadline"

"After empirical 5000 years of civilization, 8000 to 5000 years is a veritable source of civilization." Wang Wei said that the exploration source project has no clear "deadline" at present, and the work will continue.

“下一步，我们还想向前再探3000年。”王巍告诉《中国报道》记者，一方面拓展时空范围，从距今5500年到3500年，拓展到距今8000年到2800年，从Society began to differentiate into the western weekend. In terms of space, the Yellow River and the Yangtze River Basin are still dominated, but it should be extended to the northeast, northwest, southeast, southwest and other regions, and study these areas to integrate into the process of unified multi -national countries centered on the Central Plains dynasty.

Wang Wei pointed out that the next step should also strengthen international cooperation, deepen civilization exchanges, and strengthen their understanding of the characteristics of Chinese civilization. If you don't understand other civilizations, the characteristics of the characteristics will be limited. Through comparative research, the right to speak of Chinese scholars can be obtained in the research of civilization in the international academic community.

"At the same time, we must also introduce the 'China Plan' of the world. How to launch? First, major archeological discoveries based on the entire plan, including Liangzhu and Heluo Ancient State It is easier to get recognition. Second, use the 'China Plan' to explain other civilizations. We have a grasp of our solution that can be used as a standard standard for other civilizations. Enhance our right to speak. Third, enhance the transformation and spread of achievements, and let the world's public and Chinese people understand the achievements of Chinese civilization more. "Wang Wei said.

"Now we know the development of civilization in various places, and finally the summary has become a general process, but the characteristics of the characteristics of various places are not enough." Zhao Hui told the "China Report" reporter, "What contributed to each other place, what did it contribute to, what Haven't contributed? How can there be a Central Plains area? How did Xia, Shang and Zhou civilization come from? ... Only by understanding these contents clearly can we explain the connotation of Chinese civilization. In my opinion content."

Wang Wei particularly emphasized the importance of popularizing the archeological achievements of Chinese civilization to the public. He called for plans to build the theme park of Chinese civilization in local archaeological cultural heritage and characteristics. "This is an important part of promoting the spread of archeological popularization. The construction of the Chinese civilization theme park should be made in more lively, more diverse forms and means to allow the public, especially children, foreign tourists, and foreign tourists. Feel the charm of Chinese civilization. "

Text | "China Report" reporter Zhang Lijuan

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