Core Viewpoint - The exhibition "Dragon Soars China: Special Exhibition of Hongshan Culture Ancient State Civilization" at the Shanghai Museum showcases the significance of Hongshan culture, which dates back approximately 5,000 to 6,500 years, highlighting its contributions to the continuity and innovation of Chinese civilization [1][3]. Group 1: Exhibition Overview - The exhibition features a total of 310 artifacts, including jade dragons, colored pottery, and stone sculptures, with over a quarter of the items being publicly displayed for the first time [1][3]. - It is the largest and most comprehensive exhibition on Hongshan culture to date, organized in collaboration with 20 museums and archaeological institutions [3]. - The exhibition aims to support the application for World Cultural Heritage status for Hongshan culture [3]. Group 2: Cultural Significance - Hongshan culture is recognized as one of the earliest forms of civilization in China, with significant archaeological findings at sites like the Niuhua Liang site, which includes ritual buildings and burial mounds [1][20]. - The jade dragon artifacts are central to the exhibition, representing the cultural and spiritual beliefs of the Hongshan people, and are seen as a precursor to later Chinese dragon symbolism [12][14]. - The exhibition explores the unique path of civilization development in Hongshan culture, emphasizing its unified belief system and emerging ritual practices [3][14]. Group 3: Key Artifacts - Notable artifacts include the earliest known stone dragon sculpture and the largest jade dragon discovered to date, showcasing the artistic achievements of the Hongshan culture [10][12]. - The exhibition features a variety of jade artifacts, including C-shaped and ring-shaped dragons, which are significant in understanding the evolution of dragon imagery in Chinese culture [6][9]. - The Hongshan goddess statue, a key piece in the exhibition, symbolizes the spiritual beliefs of the Hongshan people and has been preserved with great care due to its fragile condition [24][25]. Group 4: Archaeological Insights - Recent archaeological discoveries have pushed back the timeline of Chinese civilization, with Hongshan culture being identified as a representative of the early state era [27][29]. - The findings at the Niuhua Liang site have sparked discussions about the origins of Chinese civilization, linking Hongshan culture to the broader narrative of cultural development in ancient China [18][29]. - The exhibition aims to provide a new perspective on the understanding of early state civilizations in China through the lens of Hongshan culture [29].