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Yuhuicun site reveals origins of ancient Chinese civilization

Author  :  Wang Jihuai     Source  :    Chinese Social Sciences Today     2014-07-20

Is ancient Chinese ruler Yu the Great (c.2200-2100 BC) a human or a god? Is the legend of Yu the Great controlling floods historically accurate? Many scholars dismiss such claims as being myths, but excavation of the Yuhuicun site has shed light on events 4,000 years ago. The site, which is where the story Great the Yu Calling Princess is allegedly set, provides clues into China’s ancient civilization origins.

The Yuhuicun site is located at the foot of Mount Tushan in Bengbu, Anhui Province. Chronicle of Zuo and other historical records hold that Yu the Great met with leaders of nations, clans, tribes and other political entities at Mount Tushan. Yuhuichun is the only site identified as having historical significance by the Research Project on the Origins of Chinese Civilization along the middle reaches of the Huaihe River.

The excavation of the Yuhuicun site is of great importance to exploring the origins of ancient Chinese civilization and determining the formation of the Empire State. Relics recovered from the site confirm that Mount Tushan was a key location in stories involving Yu the Great. An overall and comprehensive study of these materials offers valuable academic proof from the past.

Archaeologists used to believe that societies under the reign of emperors Yao (c.2333-2234BC), Shun (c.2233-2183BC) and Yu the Great (c.2182-2100BC) were relatively underdeveloped, but this belief has been overthrown by archaeological finds in these decades. From the Jiahu, Shuangdun, Yuchisi and Yuhuicun sites dating back between 8,000 and 4,000 years ago, archaeologists have been able to determine the emergence of relatively developed cultures along the Huaihe River.

As an important location in the second stage of the Research Project on the Origins of Chinese Civilization, the Yuhuicun site essentially plays a supportive role in research work of this stage.

In folk legends and written documents, historical stories are depicted as being vivid and even true. However, archaeological finds have thus far failed to support many of these stories. Discoveries at the Yuhuicun site bring us closer to Yu the Great and the society that lived under his reign, paving the way for greater understanding and appreciation of China’s ancient civilization origins.

 

 

The Chinese version appeared in Chinese Social Sciences Today, No. 616, July 4, 2014.

The Chinese link: http://www.cssn.cn/bk/bkpd_qklm/bkpd_bkwz/201407/t20140709_1246836.shtml

  

 

Translated by Du Mei

  Revised by Tom Fearon

Editor: Chen Meina

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