The first phase of research undertaken by the Exploring Chinese Civilization Project has been able to work out the social habits of Chinese people who lived between 2500 BC and 1500 BC.

Experts found that in this period crop planting as well as diversification and ranking of livestock emerged. Obvious progress in bronze smelting and casting, the production of jade article and turquoise were made. And Pottery remains provide evidence of cultural exchange.

The age of Yao, Shun and the Xia and Shang Dynasties, all between 2500 BC and 1500 BC, were key periods in the shaping of Chinese civilization. Twenty-six researchers, from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong and other institutions, studied the remains of animals, plants and other relics unearthed at the Tao Temple (c2500-1900BC) in northwest Shanxi province and another 3 ruins. They tried to clarify the relationship between economic development and cultural evolution in the Zhongyuan region (the middle and lower reaches of Yellow River).

Agriculture

During the Dragon Mountain Age (about 4000 years ago), cultivation of rice became popular. A system of crop planting including corn, millet, rice, wheat and soybean had been established in the Zhongyuan Region for some time. In addition, families began to raise cows and sheep.

Production skills

Remarkable progress was made in the development of production skills, in particular in the smelting of tin and bronze. A bronze container from 1,700 BC shows the great advances made in metal wielding. Furthermore, advances in ware production and jade processing were also made.

Stratified system

A class system, which was important in cultural evolution, also took shape during this period. The relics, unearthed at the ruins of Tao Temple and Erlitou (c1900-1500BC), included many utensils symbolizing status. Pigs, cows, sheep and other livestock were used to communicate between man, God and the ancestors.

Exploring Chinese Civilization is an important research project undertaken by China's Key Technologies R&D Program, launched during the 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-2010). It is devoted to exploring the origin, formation and development of Chinese civilization.

By People's Daily Online