In celebration of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM or the Museum) is proud to announce the new special exhibition: Bank of China (Hong Kong) Presents: “The Origins of Chinese Civilisation”, which will be open to the public from 25 September 2024 through 7 February 2025. The exhibition is jointly organised by the HKPM and Art Exhibitions China, and sponsored by Bank of China (Hong Kong), the Museum’s strategic partner.
Highlighting the astounding achievements of the “Origins of Chinese Civilisation Project” through its empirical evidence for the history of 5,000-year Chinese civilisation
As one of the world’s four great civilisations, Chinese civilisation is extensive and profound, boasting a long history stretching back to antiquity. It remains the only ancient civilisation in the world that has continuously developed up to the present day. In 2002, China launched the “Origins of Chinese Civilisation Project”, a national-level research project to trace the origins of Chinese civilisation and has confirmed a remarkable cultural continuum evincing “diversity in unity” and ongoing development over the course of more than 5,000 years. This highly anticipated exhibition at the HKPM highlights the achievements of two decades of comprehensive research, which involved large-scale archaeological surveys and in-depth investigations into the origins, formation, and development of Chinese civilisation.
Following the inaugural exhibition, “Gazing at Sanxingdui: New Archaeological Discoveries in Sichuan” on view in 2023 and 2024 which showcased 120 bronze, jade, gold, and pottery objects from 4,500 to 2,600 years ago, “The Origins of Chinese Civilisation” is the second in the HKPM’s special exhibition series with the theme of “The Origins and Development of Chinese Civilisation”, which underscores the origins, continuity, inclusiveness, and unity that define the enduring legacy of Chinese civilisation.
Featuring nearly 110 precious objects from 14 major cultural institutions, including 16 grade-one national treasures
With substantial support from National Cultural Heritage Administration and a group of leading archaeological institutions and museums in China, “The Origins of Chinese Civilisation” provides one of the most comprehensive overviews of the origins of Chinese civilisation in recent years. With new historical and cultural insights, this exhibition is divided into three sections, with each presenting the origins, formation, and development of Chinese civilisation respectively. It features around 110 rare archaeological finds and significant treasures on loan from 14 major cultural institutions in Hong Kong and the Mainland, including 16 grade-one national treasures. These spectacular loans represent nine archaeological cultures and nine major archaeological sites across the country. They come from a variety of regions, including Beijing, Gansu, Liaoning, Anhui, Zhejiang, Shandong, Hubei, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Henan, and Hong Kong. Nearly all the loans are displayed in Hong Kong for the first time.
The treasures on display include ceramics, jades, stone sculptures, bone objects, bronze objects, and more, dating back to the mid-to-late Neolithic period and up to the Xia dynasty, spanning the period from approximately 8,200 to 3,500 years before the present (BP). Highlights include 16 grade-one national treasures such as a cloud-shaped jade plaque from the Hongshan culture (6,500–5,000 BP), a jade cong-tube from the Liangzhu culture (5,300–4,300 BP), a jade ring with cicada from the Dawenkou culture (5,200–4,300 BP), a jade tiger from the Post-Shijiahe culture (4,200–3,800 BP), a bronze jia-vessel from the Erlitou culture (3,800–3,500 BP). In addition, a jar with plant motifs from the Yangshao culture (7,000–5,000 BP), a jade dragon from the Hongshan culture (6,500–5,000 BP), which is believed to be one of the earliest objects with the image of dragon in China, a drum from the Taosi culture (4,300–3,900 BP), and a stone sculpture from the Shimao archaeological site (4,300–3,800 BP) in Shaanxi province, will also be on display at the exhibition.
Immersive multimedia displays vividly present the crowning achievements of ancient China. Rich education offerings reveal fascinating stories behind the archaeological projects
The exhibition’s storytelling is supported by various innovative multimedia displays utilising new technologies. A key highlight is a multimedia installation that reconstructs the Shimao archaeological site, known as one of the largest prehistoric stone cities in China, and provides the audience with a transporting immersive experience. HKPM will offer robust educational programmes designed for students, families, and the general public alike. These include family archaeological workshops with hands-on experience to deepen the participants’ understanding of various aspects of archaeological work and rich cultural heritage of China. In addition, the Museum will invite leading experts to share their knowledge and insights at public lectures on topics such as the origins of Chinese civilisation and the latest advances in Chinese archaeology. Please refer to the HKPM website for more information.