electra-supply.comOn October 17, the Fuzhou News Agency reported that the 70th anniversary of the discovery of the Tanshishan Archaeological Site, along with the opening of the “Clay Source, Shadow of Antiquity: Prehistoric Painted Pottery Exhibition,” took place at the Tanshishan Archaeological Site Museum in Fujian Province. The exhibition features a wealth of precious artifacts, attracting local residents and tourists alike.
Among the showcased items are bird-shaped pots, dual pottery jars, owl-faced jars, and dog-faced pottery jars. China is renowned as a kingdom of pottery, with its pottery culture boasting a rich and deep history. Throughout the evolution of Chinese culture, pottery has distinctly reflected the cultural connotations of objects, showcasing the material culture and complex spiritual world of ancient Chinese ancestors, particularly through the vivid representations found in painted pottery.
The exhibition is divided into four thematic sections: “Ancient Divinity,” “Human Face Pottery Paintings,” “Flourishing Fish and Flowers,” and “Painted Pottery of China.” The event has received strong support from 21 archaeological and cultural heritage institutions both within and outside Fujian, with over 110 exquisite artifacts on loan, including nearly 50 first- and second-level cultural relics. The exhibition will be open to the public until December 15.
Archaeological expert Chen Zhaoshan pointed out that Fujian’s painted pottery culture has been profoundly influenced by the Central Plains culture throughout history. This exhibition not only highlights local painted pottery artifacts but also features items from provinces such as Shandong, Henan, and Gansu, providing invaluable references for Fujian’s archaeological researchers.
The Tanshishan site was discovered in 1954 and has undergone ten archaeological excavations by 2009, covering a total area of over 2,000 square meters. It stands as the largest and most fruitful prehistoric site excavated in Fujian. In 2021, it was recognized as one of the “Top 100 Archaeological Discoveries of the Century.”
Established in 1998, the Tanshishan Archaeological Site Museum is Fujian’s first specialized museum based on a prehistoric site. Its main exhibition, “Sea Breeze and Mountain Bones: Tanshishan Cultural Display,” was upgraded and completed at the end of 2020, featuring a 220-meter exhibition pathway spanning 1,460 square meters, divided into four parts: “Min in the Sea,” “Living with the Sea,” “Dining by the Sea,” and “Floating on the Ocean.”
During the opening ceremony, a signing event for the “Joint Research Agreement on Marine Civilization” between the Tanshishan Archaeological Site Museum and the History College of Renmin University of China took place, aiming to establish a collaborative research center focused on marine civilization.
Additionally, a book donation ceremony for “Archaeology of China: Sea Breeze and Mountain Bones: Tanshishan” was conducted. This publication narrates the “Tanshishan artifact stories” by combining the museum’s archaeological findings and academic research in an accessible format.
Fuzhou’s Deputy Director of the Cultural and Tourism Department and Director of the Cultural Relics Bureau, Fu Qisheng, emphasized that the “Clay Source, Shadow of Antiquity” exhibition facilitates the exchange and integration of archaeological findings from Tanshishan with discoveries across the country. He underlined that the purpose of the exhibition is to share the achievements of the Tanshishan archaeological site’s 70th anniversary with society, allowing archaeological results to be revitalized and incorporated into everyday life, becoming an integral part of people’s lives.
