以水果命名的地方不多，家乡山东枣庄是一个。有人议论这名字土气，我却觉得很好。枣，是枝头上活 泼可爱的果子；庄，是人心里温暖可亲的所在。枣庄，听上去就是一座可爱可亲的城市。 榴乡的人世代栽种石榴，年轻的果农从父辈手中接过营生。石榴在这一代人的创造中，变身成为石榴盆 景、石榴酒、石榴茶、石榴煎饼、石榴面膜等新奇的产品。石榴已不再是单一的水果，家乡的荣耀和希 望也在里面。枣庄的石榴种子曾跟随神舟十二号飞船上过太空。它们穿越过天宫和瑶池，看到过极光和 星河，在幽远的磁场里积蓄过能量。 青铜绿和石榴红，两种颜色并存，正如这座城市的气韵，既厚重又清新。当年在博物馆排练那首歌时， 旁边就是青铜器厅。有一天，忽然想，若是在那件西周时期的青铜觚里，插上一枝殷红的石榴花，将是 何等的古艳？ 《 人民日报 》（ 2025年12月17日 20 版） 一个黄昏，我来到薛河岸边，在这里可以探寻那些青铜器产生的源头。泥土里露出一枚陶片。捧起那陶 片，观赏上面装饰的堆纹，此时，斜阳映照，河水深缓，我似乎看到史前时期，一群古人类从山林里走 出，四处寻觅适宜栖居的家园。终于，他们望见了这条开阔的大河，以及两岸肥美的土地，于是停留下 来，捕鱼耕种 ...

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the historical and cultural significance of the Xue River and its surrounding areas, emphasizing the archaeological discoveries that reveal the rich heritage of ancient civilizations, particularly the North Xin culture and the ancient Xue state [5][6][7]. Summary by Sections Historical Significance - The Xue River, while not widely known, has nurtured a rich cultural heritage, with significant archaeological sites along its banks, particularly in Tengzhou and Weishan [5]. - The North Xin culture, discovered between 1964 and 1978, showcases artifacts from the Neolithic era, indicating advanced agricultural and economic practices among its inhabitants [6]. - The ancient Xue state was established during the Xia dynasty, with its founder, Xi Zhong, credited for innovations in agriculture and transportation [8]. Archaeological Discoveries - Numerous archaeological sites have been identified along the Xue River, including the North Xin culture and the Dawangkou culture, which reflect the continuous human settlement in the area [7]. - The Xue city, the capital of the ancient Xue state, was a significant urban center with a complex fortification system, showcasing advanced construction techniques [9][10]. Cultural Heritage - The article details the contributions of historical figures such as Meng Changjun, who played a crucial role in the development of the Xue state, attracting scholars and enhancing its economic prosperity [13][14]. - The region has a wealth of ancient cultural relics, including bronze artifacts from the Shang and Zhou dynasties, which are preserved in various museums [16]. Modern Developments - Recent initiatives have been undertaken to preserve and promote the archaeological sites, including the establishment of parks and museums dedicated to the North Xin culture and the ancient Xue city [17].