A New Window Into the Ancient Past

A new window into the ancient past

2021年发掘的贵族“作册奂”墓出土文物，三件铸有“太保墉燕_143415.jpg

观众在观看堇鼎，此鼎是北京地区出土青铜礼器中体形最大、最重的_143416.jpg

The ox-head patterned Boju Li with lid. Li is a type of bronze cauldron
The Yu Yan, a typical bronze cooking utensil from the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046-771 B.C.)
Unearthed in 2021, the Zuocehuan bronze vessels (ding, you and zhi) carry inscriptions that provide textual evidence supporting the earliest accounts of Beijing's founding
The Jin Ding, a ritual tripod cauldron, is the biggest and heaviest bronze ritual vessel ever unearthed in Beijing
A bronze face ornament dating back to the Western Zhou Dynasty

The Capital Museum in Beijing is hosting a special exhibition on the Liulihe Site, the largest known Western Zhou Dynasty (1046-771 B.C.) site unearthed in the southern foothills of the Yanshan Mountains, where modern-day Beijing is located. This groundbreaking display unveils the 3,000-year history of the Liulihe site—the original capital of the Yan State (1044-222 B.C.), widely recognized as the "source of Beijing."

Divided into four compelling sections, the exhibition uses a "trinity" of historical evidence—texts, the capital city's remains and artifacts—to bring this ancient world to life. It presents 180 carefully selected pieces, 113 of which are being seen by the public for the first time.

The event will run until November 28. BR

(Text and photos by Wei Yao)

Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon

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