The New Yin Ruins Museum Opens its Doors, Showcasing China's First Highly Developed Civilization

A Window into Ancient Shang Civilization

The Yin Ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "hometown of oracle bone inscriptions," has unveiled a new museum in Anyang, Henan Province. This remarkable building serves as the first panoramic museum dedicated to showcasing the ancient Shang civilization and its flourishing development during the period of 1600BC-1046BC.

Inspired by the ancient book Shang Song from The Book of Songs, the museum boasts an impressive 22,000 square meters of exhibition space. Towering bronze sculptures and layered depths adorn the structure, emphasizing the key themes of Shang civilization.

Among the 4,000 precious artifacts on display, approximately 3,000 are being exhibited for the first time. These include bronzes, pottery, jade ware, and the iconic oracle bones. The sheer quantity and variety of these artifacts are unparalleled in exhibitions of Shang Dynasty relics.

The panoramic presentation vividly illustrates the Shang Dynasty's remarkable achievements in various fields, including politics, economy, military affairs, agriculture, handicrafts, and writing. One particularly noteworthy artifact is an oracle bone with a turquoise inlay, the only one of its kind in a Chinese museum. This inscription depicts scenes of a Shang emperor inspecting military hunting activities, highlighting both the emperor's authority and the exquisite artistry of the Shang people.

He Yuling, deputy director of the Anyang workstation of the Institute of Archaeology under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), emphasizes that the museum's focus extends beyond individual artifacts to encompass groups of objects, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the Shang civilization.

Another highlight of the museum is the display of 23 chariots excavated from the Yin Ruins, marking the first large-scale exhibition of chariots in China. The majority of these chariots are two-horse chariots, offering a glimpse into the transportation and warfare practices of the Shang Dynasty.

Chen Xingcan, director of the Institute of Archaeology under the CASS and curator of the Yin Ruins Museum, underscores the undeniable importance of the Yin Ruins in the world of archaeology. He states that the Shang culture, as represented by the Yin Ruins, was the first highly developed civilization in East Asia.

The Yin Ruins are widely recognized as the cradle of modern Chinese archaeology. The excavation of the ruins, which began in 1928, marked the beginning of historical research into the Shang Dynasty and significantly expanded the field of oracle bone studies. The new museum serves as a testament to the rich history and cultural significance of the Yin Ruins, offering visitors a captivating journey into the heart of ancient Shang civilization.