• michael-kan

    Top 10: Most Important Archaeology Finds in China… Ever

    According to archaeologist Liu Qingzhu, trying to name the most important discoveries in China is like facing another, albeit seemingly more simple, question — which one tastes better: dumplings or rice? “Southerners from China will say rice is better, but northerners will say dumplings,” Liu said. “Then Westerners will say they like French food and that bread is good.” Listing the most important archaeological discoveries faces similar difficulties, he added. One finding may have had more relevance for one region of China, while not affecting the other. China’s history is also long and not so easy to cover. Still, Liu…

  • michael-kan

    110,000-year-old Chinese Fossil Poses Challenge to ‘Out of Africa’ Theory

    Dating back to 110,000 years ago, a human fossil found in China could provide evidence disputing the theory that all modern day humans originally came from Africa. Last week, China’s Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology announced the discovery. Comprising of a human jawbone fragment, the fossil was found a year ago in southern China’s Guangxi pronvince. Jin Changzhu, a researcher with the institute, said the find was especially important since very few human fossils from this evolutionary period have been found in China. He added that the jawbone is that of an early modern human, but it also bears…

  • michael-kan

    Earliest Urbanisation: the First 10 Cities of the World

    What makes a city? Certainly an abundance of people is needed (that and maybe a few skyscrapers too.) But when trying to find signs of urbanization in the ancient world, archaeologists like to look at more than just population size. Factors like whether or not a social hierarchy existed, was there a political system in place, and if the denizens specialized in different professions, are just some of the indicators used. Even the development of art and monuments can serve as benchmarks. We’ve picked out 10 of the earliest cities in the world — each one being among the first…

  • michael-kan

    After Bowers Museums, Tarim Mummies move to Houston Museum of Natural Science

    One of the biggest archaeological discoveries ever made in China landed in America earlier this year. A trio of Tarim Mummies was brought to the United States for the first time in a special exhibit at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, California. The mummies are renowned for their unique appearance: while the ancient bodies were found well-preserved in Chinas western region, some of them bear more of a physical resemblance to early Europeans. People will have until July 25 to view the ancient bodies, but the American public will have two more chances to view the exhibit later this…

  • michael-kan

    Treasure-laden Ming Shipwreck May Have Smuggled Arms

    Archaeologists are uncovering troves of cultural artifacts from an ancient Chinese vessel still sitting at the bottom of the sea. The sunken merchant vessel is located off the coast of China, near the city of Shantou. Called Nanao One, the ship is dated to be from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Archaeologists have been carrying out a salvage operation since September, but it wasn’t until this Monday that they were able to enter the cabin of the ship, and extract the relics inside. Here are some of the first pictures of the artefacts discovered. In total, more than 1,000 artifacts have…

  • michael-kan

    Four New Museums Planned in Xi’an City Wall Renovation

    The famous city walls surrounding the ancient Chinese capital of Xian could be in store for a major makeover. Last week, the city publicized a plan to invest about $1.75 billion to renovate the already well-preserved walls, which have stood for centuries. The plan is meant to better restore the walls and beautify the area. It will also feature the construction of four new museums at the walls main entrances. Each of the museums will center on four different dynasties that include the Zhou, Qin, Han and Tang. (Pictures of the proposed plan can be found here.) Wang Tian, a…

  • michael-kan

    Beijing Modernisation is Like Building Hotels in the Forbidden City

    As parts of old Beijing modernize and turn into new high-rises and shopping centers, preservationists are hoping to draw the line with one of the capitals historical districts. Last night, the Beijing Cultural Heritage Protection Center spoke with journalists about stopping the redevelopment of the citys ancient Drum and Bell towers. Now the group is seeking to rally public support and pressure backers of the project to give up the plan. I think allowing it to happen in such an important neighborhood would be a great waste, said He Shuzhong, chairman and founder of the group. That would be akin…

  • michael-kan

    Ancient Chinese Mummies Originated in Europe and Siberia

    A group of ancient Chinese mummies found in China have long fascinated experts and the public, largely because the bodies look more distinctly European (or even Celtic) than Asian. Now a new scientific report published last month says the oldest of these mummies dating back almost 4,000 years likely originated outside of China, from a mixture of places such as Europe and Siberia. What’s more, these ancient people had an “obsession with procreation”, burying their dead alongside symbolic vulvas and giant phalluses. For decades now, the ancient corpses have been found in Chinas Tarim Basin, a desert region near the…

  • michael-kan

    Residents are Divided Over Planned Restoration of Beijing’s Drum and Bell towers

    Cultural preservation and Beijing’s ongoing development may be set to collide with a new project in one of the city’s historical neighborhoods. A pair of landmark buildings in the capital, the Drum and Bell towers, is at the center of a new redevelopment plan that has left a group of preservationists concerned. I spoke to some locals, and some experts, about the future of the towers, and was surprised by the divided opinions I came across. Dating back to the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), the citys Drum and Bell towers have stood in the capital for more than 700 years. That…

  • michael-kan

    The Invisible Chinese Town of Pingyao

    At 5:30am, the ancient town of Pingyao is a black mass that disappears in the darkness. There are no signs of street lights, save for the few red lanterns that dangle outside these still sleeping homes. The alleys here seem more like one long labyrinth, a giant shadow the seeable destination. Very quickly, I wonder where I am and if I might get mugged. A few hours later, Pingyao begins to awake. And soon I find that nothing here resembles the modern China I know. There are no high-rises in sight. No bustling shopping malls within town. In fact, theres…