Core Viewpoint - The Liuli River site in Beijing's Fangshan District is the largest known Western Zhou period site in the Yanshan southern foothills, recognized for its extensive archaeological significance and rich cultural artifacts, including bronze, lacquer, jade, and pottery items. It has been selected as one of the top ten archaeological discoveries in China for 2024 [1][10]. Archaeological Discoveries - The site has undergone extensive excavations since its discovery in 1945, revealing a wealth of artifacts, including the renowned Jin Ding and Bo Ju Li from the Capital Museum [1]. - Recent excavations have confirmed the existence of an outer city wall and moat, expanding the site from less than 600,000 square meters to approximately 1,000,000 square meters, with 12-16 layers of deposits indicating the city's construction and abandonment timeline [2][5]. Historical Significance - The Liuli River site is pivotal in understanding Beijing's 3,000-year history of urban development, marking it as the earliest known urban civilization in the region [10]. - The discovery of inscriptions on bronze vessels has confirmed the site as the capital of the Yan state during the Western Zhou period, further solidifying its historical importance [4]. Multidisciplinary Collaboration - The recent archaeological efforts have involved collaboration among various institutions, employing advanced techniques such as carbon-14 dating, isotopic analysis, and organic residue analysis to enhance understanding of the site's historical context [5][6]. - The establishment of an archaeological geographic information system has allowed for detailed mapping and modeling of the site, showcasing the complexity of urban planning during the Western Zhou period [6]. Educational Initiatives - The Liuli River site has become a focal point for educational activities, including international field schools that engage students from various countries in archaeological practices, promoting cross-cultural understanding of archaeological methodologies [8]. - Public engagement initiatives have allowed families to experience archaeology firsthand, fostering a deeper appreciation for the site's historical and cultural significance [7]. Future Developments - Plans are underway to create an archaeological park at the Liuli River site, aimed at showcasing China's archaeological heritage and providing a space for public interaction with history [9].

连家庄遗址位于山西省长治市沁县故县镇连家庄村西约0.5公里的高台之上，北靠后底沟山，南临铜鞮 河，西眺南岩边坡岭，东依圪芦坡，地势北高南低。 ·类型以各式罐、瓮为主要器类，少量钵、盆、豆、尖底瓶等。 其中瓮、罐类器物大致可分为两类， △遗址地理位置示意图 经初步调查，该遗址范围约20万平方米。2020年11月至12月，山西省考古研究院联合地市文物部门对连 家庄遗址进行了考古发掘。由于农业生产和建设项目的扰动，遗址地层被破坏严重，遗迹均发现于耕土 层下，未发现有文化堆积层。 △遗址发掘总平面图 连家庄遗址遗迹单一，仅灰坑一种，且各遗迹间并无直接地层关系。 ·遗址所出陶器以灰陶、褐陶居多，尤以泥质灰陶所见最多； ·器物装饰以绳纹、篮纹和附加堆纹为主，部分器物口沿为花边； ·一类多尖唇，折沿较宽，口部通常无装饰； ·一类则是口沿唇部按压花边的形制特征较突出。 连家庄遗址与东村遗址同属晋东南地区偏北部，地理位置相近，文化特征也较相似，兼具南北地区因素 的同时，又有自身特色。连家庄遗址的此次发掘与收获为进一步明晰同时期晋东南地区文化特征，探讨 晋东南与晋西南、晋中等地区的互动交流提供了新资料。 （总台记者 岳旭辉 董琪 ...

Core Viewpoint - The Panlongcheng site in Hubei, recognized as one of the "Top Ten Archaeological Discoveries of 2024," provides unique evidence of the evolution of Chinese civilization through extensive archaeological efforts and technological advancements in cultural heritage preservation [8][10][18]. Archaeological Discoveries - The Panlongcheng site has yielded over 3,000 valuable artifacts, including bronze vessels and pottery, indicating its significance during the Shang Dynasty [9][18]. - Recent excavations have uncovered a large-scale stone structure at the Yangjiazui site, suggesting that Panlongcheng may have been a central city in the middle Yangtze River region during the Xia and Shang periods [11][18]. Historical Context - The site was first identified in 1954 when artifacts were discovered during flood prevention efforts, leading to a 70-year-long archaeological journey [10][11]. - The name "Panlongcheng" was officially adopted in 1964, following initial scientific excavations that confirmed its historical significance [10]. Preservation and Restoration Techniques - The site employs a combination of restoration techniques, including the use of glass fiber reinforced concrete and mud sculpture methods, to maintain the integrity of the artifacts and structures [13][14]. - A digital model of Panlongcheng has been created to enhance visitor experience through virtual reality technology [14]. Cultural and Educational Integration - The Panlongcheng Archaeological Park integrates cultural heritage preservation with tourism, offering interactive experiences and educational programs related to archaeology and ancient Chinese civilization [15][17]. - The park covers an area of 4.86 square kilometers, preserving the original environment while providing facilities for visitors [16]. Ongoing Research and Future Prospects - Current archaeological efforts focus on various sites within Panlongcheng, with a significant portion of the area still unexplored [17]. - The involvement of younger archaeologists is expected to lead to further discoveries and insights into the site's historical context [17].

Core Insights - The excavation of the Tang Dynasty tomb M5 in Pingyao County, Shanxi Province, reveals significant historical information about the burial practices and cultural artifacts of the early Tang period [1][3] - The tomb, dating back to the early Tang period, belonged to an individual from the Taiyuan Commandery and provides evidence for the location of the ancient Pingyao city during the Sui and Tang dynasties [3] Summary by Sections Excavation Details - The tomb M5 is located approximately 8.3 kilometers west of the ancient city of Pingyao and 8.6 kilometers north of the Zhen Guo Temple [1] - The tomb structure consists of a vertical pit with a single brick chamber, including a tomb passage, door, and chamber [1] Artifacts and Historical Context - A total of 13 burial items were unearthed, including pottery, bronze, and iron artifacts [3] - The tomb's owner was buried in the year 700 AD, providing a reference point for the early Tang period [3] - The findings indicate that early Tang tombs in Shanxi typically featured gray pottery and colorful glazed pottery, with a transition to white porcelain in the middle Tang period [3] Research Significance - The M5 tomb serves as a chronological marker for the transition between the early and middle Tang periods in Shanxi [3] - The burial structure and artifacts contribute valuable insights into the funerary customs and evolution of Tang Dynasty burial practices in the Jinzhong region and beyond [3]