The Chinese civilization has a long history and is one of the oldest civilizations in the world. Understanding the historical context of the origin, formation and development of Chinese civilization and understanding the characteristics and characteristics of Chinese civilization are of important and far-reaching significance to today's Chinese. In November 2023, the book "Tracing the Origin of Chinese Civilization" was published and distributed by Beijing United Publishing Company, which focuses on the key issues of the origin of Chinese civilization and proves the 5,000-year-old civilization of the Chinese nation.
The origin and formation of Chinese civilization is a very complex and long process. In the spring of 2002, the state launched the "Chinese Civilization Exploration Project". This project is a major scientific research project that takes archaeological investigation and excavation as the main means to obtain relevant data, with the support of modern science and technology, and adopts the method of multidisciplinary interdisciplinary research to reveal the origin and early development of the Chinese civilization for more than 5,000 years.
The four authors of the book are all authoritative experts in the field of Chinese archaeology, including Liu Qingzhu, former director of the Institute of Archaeology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Wang Wei, chairman of the Chinese Archaeological Society, Zhao Hui, professor of the School of Archaeology and Museums of Peking University, and Han Jianye, professor of the School of History of Renmin University. Among them, Wang Wei is the chief expert of the first to fourth phases of the source exploration project, and Zhao Hui is the chief expert of the fifth stage of the source exploration project. Through this book, these authors tell the public about the major issues in the origin of Chinese civilization and the characteristics of Chinese civilization, and explain the historical results of the continuous Chinese civilization and the unification of the country by multiple ethnic groups.
Around the major theme of the origin of Chinese civilization, a series of key questions have been extended, such as, when was Chinese civilization formed?How long is it old?Is there a clear line of development that readers can understand and follow?"Tracing the Origin of Chinese Civilization" sorts out a clear timeline for the development of Chinese civilization for readers: 10,000 years ago, the emergence of agriculture led to the emergence of small settled villages in various places, laying the foundation for the emergence of civilization;8,000 years ago, agriculture developed significantly, production was popularized, class differentiation appeared in society, and the process of the origin of civilization officially beganAround 6,000 years ago, the number and scale of settlements increased, the handicraft industry developed significantly, and the rhythm of the origin of civilization accelerated5500-5000 years ago is a very important period in the history of Chinese civilization, the division of labor in society appeared, the ritual system was initially formed, and the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and other regions entered the stage of civilization one after anotherAround 4,300 years ago, the civilization in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River declined, the power in the middle reaches of the Yellow River grew, and the Central Plains began to riseAround 4,000 years ago, the Xia Dynasty was established, early political China was formed, and Chinese civilization entered a new stage centered on the Central Plains3,000 years ago, royal power was consolidated and social hierarchies were establishedMore than 2,200 years ago, a unified multi-ethnic state was formed, and the pattern of unification of the world was thus formed.
Tracing the Origin of Chinese Civilization focuses on the five outstanding characteristics of Chinese civilization of "continuity, innovation, unity, inclusiveness, and peace", starting from archaeological evidence, leading readers to ** the origin and formation of Chinese civilization and the early development process, as well as the related background and reasons. This provides an important source for us to understand China and the broad and profound Chinese civilization from the long-standing historical continuity, and provides strong support for us to enhance our historical consciousness and strengthen our cultural self-confidence.
Reporter: Xu Min Editor: Qian Huanqing Proofreader: Tang Qi