Core Viewpoint - The Sichuan University Museum, known as the "Gene Bank of Bashu Civilization," is a significant cultural institution in Southwest China, celebrating its 111th anniversary this year and housing over 80,000 unique artifacts and a million rare biological specimens [1][4]. Group 1: Historical Significance - The museum's predecessor, the Huaxi University Museum, conducted the first scientific excavation of the Sanxingdui site in 1934, marking a pivotal moment in archaeological history [2][15]. - The museum serves as a comprehensive repository of knowledge about the history, culture, and natural sciences of the Southwest region, akin to an "encyclopedia" of the area [4][15]. Group 2: Notable Exhibits - The museum features a complete set of shadow puppetry equipment from the 1930s, showcasing the vibrant cultural life of Chengdu during the late Qing and Republican periods [5]. - A Tang Dynasty statue of a Bodhisattva, despite missing arms, is highlighted for its artistic value and the story of its recovery after a flood in 1947 [10]. - The museum's collection includes a unique wedding sedan chair from the Republican era, known for its intricate craftsmanship and cultural significance [12]. - A rare collaborative landscape painting by Yuan Dynasty artists Huang Gongwang and Wang Meng is noted as a significant piece in the museum's collection [14]. Group 3: Cultural and Educational Activities - The museum offers a variety of engaging educational and cultural activities during the summer, aimed at making the museum a dynamic space for public interaction and learning [8]. - The museum's collections and activities reflect a commitment to interdisciplinary research across archaeology, anthropology, and history, contributing to a deeper understanding of the region's heritage [15][19].

Group 1 - The discovery of a large pottery vessel from the Neolithic era, approximately 4800 years old, at the Weichi Temple site in Anhui, features mysterious symbols that may represent the early forms of Chinese characters [1][2] - The excavation of the Weichi Temple site began in 1992, leading to the unearthing of nine similar pottery vessels with various engraved symbols, including representations of the sun, moon, and mountains [2] - The pottery vessels from different regions, such as the one found in Shandong's Linyang River site, show remarkable consistency in shape, thickness, and engraving techniques, indicating a shared cultural heritage [3] Group 2 - The Chinese government emphasizes the importance of projects like "Comprehensive Research on the Origins and Early Development of Chinese Civilization" and "Archaeological China" to further explore and explain the origins of Chinese civilization [3] - The evolution of ceramics from ancient to modern times reflects the continuous development of Chinese culture, with contemporary advancements in ceramic production showcasing the integration of industrialization and intelligence [3]

Core Viewpoint - The China Archaeological Museum is hosting a special event during the May Day holiday, featuring a series of academic lectures on the "Top Ten Archaeological Discoveries of 2024," which has garnered significant attention from both academia and the public [1]. Group 1: Archaeological Discoveries - The "Taibao Yongyan" inscription discovered at the Liuli River site provides the earliest physical evidence of Beijing's over 3,000-year history of city building, highlighting the unique value in the study of urban history [1]. - The discovery of the Yan Hou family tombs at the Liuli River site fills a crucial gap in the composition of Western Zhou tombs, supporting the site's identification as the capital of the Yan state and offering invaluable archaeological materials for understanding the history of the Yan state during the Western Zhou period [2]. - The Liuli River site has revealed a dual city wall structure, marking the first time such a structure has been identified in a Western Zhou feudal state, suggesting the city could cover an area of up to one million square meters [4]. Group 2: Historical Significance - The Liuli River site is currently the only known Western Zhou feudal state site that has uncovered multiple city walls, large buildings, complete burial areas, city-building inscriptions, and oracle bones, extending the historical timeline of Beijing's city-building to over 3,000 years [5]. - The artifacts unearthed at the site reflect a complex cultural interaction, showcasing influences from the Zhou, Shang, and local northern grassland cultures, thereby enriching the historical narrative of the Yan culture [6]. - Environmental, botanical, and industrial archaeology methods have been employed to vividly reconstruct ancient production and lifestyle practices, bringing historical scenes to life [7]. Group 3: Special Activities - The China Archaeological Museum is open from May 1 to May 5, featuring academic lectures and documentary screenings as part of its special activities to promote traditional Chinese culture [11].