图①：山西襄汾陶寺遗址出土圭尺。 中国社会科学院考古研究所供图 图②：河南偃师二里头遗址出土绿松石龙形器。 中国社会科学院考古研究所供图 图③：陕西宝鸡青铜器博物院藏何尊及其铭文"中国"。 陕西宝鸡青铜器博物院供图 图④：湖北武汉博物馆藏五乳神兽镜。 湖北武汉博物馆供图 图⑤：新疆维吾尔自治区博物馆藏"五星出东方利中国"汉代织锦护臂。 新疆维吾尔自治区博物馆供图 中华文明是世界上唯一绵延不断且以国家形态发展至今的伟大文明。从明确表达早期"中国"概念的山西 襄汾陶寺遗址出土圭表，到定格后世"中国"龙形象的河南偃师二里头遗址出土绿松石龙形器，从留 下"中国"一词最早文字记录的西周青铜器何尊，到为"中国人民"提供最早实物文物例证的汉代五乳神兽 镜，再到出土于新疆和田地区的"五星出东方利中国"汉代织锦护臂……作为历史的见证，考古文物生动 展现出中华文明的绵延不绝与博大气象。 如果不从源远流长的历史连续性来认识中国，就不可能理解古代中国，也不可能理解现代中国，更不可 能理解未来中国。疏源浚流，与古为新；国宝重光，时代华彩。今天，让我们走近这些铭刻下"中国"印 记的文物，在思接千载中读懂"何以中国"、坚定文化自信。 —— ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the significance of the summer solstice in ancient Chinese civilization, highlighting its historical and astronomical importance as one of the earliest recorded solar events in China [1][3][12] Group 1: Historical Significance - The Taosi site is recognized as a key archaeological site for understanding the origins of Chinese civilization, alongside other significant sites like Liangzhu and Erlitou [1] - The ancient people of Taosi developed a solar calendar, marking the summer solstice as a crucial agricultural time marker [3][6] Group 2: Astronomical Observations - The Taosi astronomical observatory, with a radius of 10.5 meters and 12 observation slits, allowed ancient inhabitants to accurately track celestial movements and define 20 solar terms, which are foundational to the traditional 24 solar terms [3] - The use of a gnomon and a horizontal measuring stick (known as a "gui") complemented the observatory, enabling precise measurements of shadow lengths to establish a solar calendar [6] Group 3: Cultural Practices - The article describes how ancient people observed natural phenomena, such as the shedding of deer antlers and the emergence of cicadas, to mark seasonal changes and agricultural practices [8][10][12] - The concept of "half summer" is introduced, referring to a medicinal plant that grows during this period, symbolizing the transition of seasons and the balance of yin and yang [12]