【Academic Trends】Wuhan University Archaeometry Assists National Key R&D Program

(Correspondent: Chang Xuan) On March 4th, a consultation meeting was held on the launch and implementation plan of the National Key R&D Program of the Ministry of Science and Technology, titled "Comprehensive Research on Core Settlements in the Key Stage of Early Development of Chinese Civilization from 1500 BC to 1000 BC". Wuhan University is responsible for the project of "Comprehensive Research on the Shang Dynasty Cities in the Yangtze River Basin".

Professor Zhang Changping, the project leader from the School of History and Archaeological Institute for Yangtze Civilization, introduced that Wuhan University, as the leading unit, is mainly responsible for constructing and improving the chronological framework of Shang Dynasty relics in the Yangtze River Basin, depicting the distribution trend of Shang Dynasty relics in the Yangtze River Basin, and focusing on revealing the layout characteristics and construction technology characteristics of settlements in the Yangtze River Basin around urban sites such as Panlongcheng, Sanxingdui, and Tanheli. The project also aims to construct the layout and landscape of the Shang Dynasty settlements in the Yangtze River Basin, and explore the ancient environment and changes of Shang Dynasty ruins in the Yangtze River Basin. Focusing on the environment and resources of the Yangtze River Basin, as well as the unearthed relics from urban sites, this project endeavors to reveal the development and utilization of resources in the Shang Dynasty Yangtze River Basin and their cross regional allocation. It aims to understand the technical characteristics and production models of handicraft products in the Shang Dynasty Yangtze River Basin, with a particular focus on studying the interaction and exchange of handicraft technology between the Yangtze River Basin and the Shang Dynasty, and to observe the development characteristics of early civilization in the Yangtze River Basin from the perspective of resources and technology. Through the research on the four aspects of settlement, environment, resources, and technology mentioned above, the development process of Shang Dynasty civilization in the Yangtze River Basin can be outlined and summarized.

About 30 people attended the meeting, including the project leader Shi Jinsong, deputy director of the Archaeological Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, relevant leaders and consulting experts from the Department of High Technology of the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Department of Science, Technology and Education of the National Cutural Heritage Administration, as well as the project leaders and teachers.

It is reported that the period from 1500 BC to 1000 BC is a critical stage for the consolidation and formation of Chinese civilization. This project will select key cities and regional centers in the Yellow River and Yangtze River basins, focus on the early development of Chinese civilization, conduct research on era, resources, industry, environment, technology, and population, and summarize the characteristics of the key stages of Chinese civilization development. This project belongs to the key project of the national key research and development plan "culture, technology and modern service industry", and is jointly undertaken by 10 units, including the Archaeological Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Wuhan University, Peking University, Fudan University, Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, and Sichuan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology.

(Editor: Fu Xiaoge)