Civilizations communicate through diversity, learn from each other through exchange, and develop through mutual learning. From decrypting the Mayan civilization, to studying the origin of mankind in Africa, to exploring the ancient Egyptian civilization… In recent years, with the deepening of the joint construction of the “the Belt and Road”, Chinese archaeologists have actively participated in international archaeological exchanges and cooperation, and jointly promoted the exchange and mutual learning between Chinese civilization and civilizations around the world, with each beautiful, beautiful and common.
Kepan Site——
The mystery of the rise and fall of Kepan, the ancient city of Yagu, has been gradually revealed, as one experiences the charm of different civilizations through communication and cooperation.
Why did you come all the way here? Li Xinwei, the leader of the archaeological team and an archaeologist of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, dug out a head portrait of the feather snake god from the soil and told the reporter: “Both the Chinese civilization and the Mayan civilization are typical representatives of the world’s ancient civilizations. They have both differences and similarities. By appreciating the beauty of other civilizations, we can more deeply feel the unique brilliance of our Chinese civilization.”
In July 2015, Li Xinwei led a Chinese archaeological team to officially launch research on the Kepan Site archaeology and Maya civilization. Previously, the archaeology of the Mayan civilization in Honduras had been led by experts from European and American countries. As a “beginner” in the archaeology of the Mayan civilization, Li Xinwei led his team to study a large amount of Mayan archaeological achievements and actively engage in exchanges and learning with archaeologists from Honduras.
The archaeological work conducted by the Chinese side at the Kepan Site involves excavation, reconstruction, and comprehensive research on the noble courtyard numbered 8N-11. Through a complete excavation of the entire courtyard, the archaeologists gained a clear understanding of the development and evolution of this noble family and formed systematic data. The new technologies such as 3D imaging and drone aerial photography brought by the Chinese side have replaced our traditional method of making floor plans, ensuring the accuracy of archaeological information and greatly improving work efficiency.
Chinese experts have rich field work experience and professional literacy, and are able to flexibly apply various research and technical methods, providing strong support for our archaeological work. “Honduras archaeologist Jorge Ramos said,” Through the study of the Maya and Chinese civilizations, we feel the charm of different civilizations in communication and cooperation
In Li Xinwei’s view, there are many similarities between the Maya civilization and early Chinese civilization. Understanding the development of different civilizations can broaden our thinking and horizons for studying Chinese civilization. The image interpretation of Maya carving, painting, pottery, and jade, as well as the study of Maya religious concepts and the operation of Maya society, also brings inspiration to Chinese archaeological research
Next year, the Chinese archaeological team plans to launch the second phase of the Kepan Site archaeological project. Chinese team.The large amount of cultural relics excavated is an important contribution to the study of the Mayan civilization, with high cultural and archaeological value, and has been highly valued and praised by the American archaeological community Ramos expressed his belief that Chinese experts will provide more assistance for future archaeological research at the Kepan site.
Jimen Cornerstone Site——
The Chinese archaeological team has become an important force in the international archaeological community. When hungry, they hunt, and when thirsty, they drink the clear water of the waterfall… This scene is repeatedly presented in the mind of Professor Li Zhanyang from the School of History and Culture of Shandong University. As the leader of the China Kenya Joint Archaeological Team on the Origin of Modern Humanity, Li Zhanyang has been conducting archaeological excavations with the Chinese team in Kenya three times since 2017.
A large number of hand axes with excellent workmanship have been found on many Paleolithic sites in Kenya. As the main research area of the global archaeological community’s hot topic on the origin of modern humans, archaeological teams from various countries come to Kenya during the annual excavation season. “The Chinese archaeological team cannot be absent.” Li Zhanyang said that these Paleolithic stone products were mainly formed between 300000 and 50000 years ago, which is of great significance for explaining how modern people go out of Africa and studying the development and evolution of human history.
On October 3, 2017, the third day of the arrival of the Chinese modern human origin archaeological team in Kenya, the team found a paleolithic site near Macaria Falls. In the subsequent batches of archaeological work, the joint archaeological team composed of Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, Shandong University, Luoyang Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology and Kenya National Museum excavated more than 300 square meters of Jimen Cornerstone Site in Kenya, unearthed more than 2000 pieces of earth and stone products and animal fossils, and found 27 paleolithic sites near Jimen Cornerstone Site, covering the early, middle and late Paleolithic.
Through the study of unearthed cultural relics, archaeologists have inferred that the owners of late Paleolithic culture may have been the earliest modern humans. This inference supports the view that modern people emerged from Africa between 70000 and 50000 years ago. At the same time, through systematic excavation and research on the stacked strata of the Jimen Cornerstone Site in various periods, especially the collection and organization of the upper fine stone tools, the team members confirmed the transmission route of the fine stone tool culture..The work of the ancient team has not only been fully recognized by the Kenyan side, but its research results have also been valued in the industry. The Chinese archaeological team has become an important force in the international archaeological community
The Montu Temple Site – Archaeological and research work was carried out at the Montu Temple Site in the northern part of the ancient city of Luxor in southern Egypt (see photo, provided by the Sino Egyptian Joint Archaeological Team), gradually presenting the on-site scene and unearthed artifacts of the temple to the world.
“In the process of mutual learning with other ancient civilizations, we can deeply feel the commonness and individuality of various civilizations.” When talking about the significance of Chinese archaeology going global, Jia Xiaobing, the Chinese executive leader of the China Egypt Joint Archaeology Project and an archaeologist of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said.
In 2016, the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Egypt, invited by Cairo University, Wang Wei, then director of the Archaeological Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, led a delegation to Egypt. During the visit, the then director of the Egyptian National Museum, Wafaa Siddiq, said a sentence that impressed Wang Wei – “Currently, none of the 206 international archaeological cooperation projects in Egypt have China’s participation, and we look forward to cooperating with China
If there is no clear understanding of the other party’s historical civilization, it will be difficult for the exchanges between China and Egypt, as well as the exchanges between the two ancient civilizations, to be in-depth and effective. After returning to China, Wang Wei immediately conducted preliminary research on the joint archaeology between China and Egypt. In October 2018, the two countries signed the “Sino Egyptian Joint Archaeological Project Agreement for the Montu Temple in Luxor”, and the Sino Egyptian Joint Archaeological Team was officially established. In November of the same year, the first phase of the project began, marking the first time since the founding of the People’s Republic of China that a Chinese archaeological team had visited Egypt for archaeological excavations.
The Montu Temple Site has a history of over 3000 years and is part of the famous Karnak Temple in Luxor. In 1979, the Karnak Temple area was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Jia Xiaobing stated that the civilizations of China and Egypt have a long and splendid history, and there are similarities and complementarities in the protection of cultural heritage and archaeological work between the two countries. Through joint cooperation, the two sides can deepen their understanding of each other’s civilizations..Yu Yichun