HANGZHOU, China, July 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On July 6, China ushered in
the Minor Heat in the twenty-four solar terms, marking the approach of scorching
hot weather. For Hangzhou, the capital city of Zhejiang Province in eastern
China, this day also heralds a series of activities to mark the fifth "Hangzhou
Liangzhu Day" and the fifth anniversary of the inclusion of the Liangzhu
Archaeological Site to into the World Heritage list.
A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on the
image or link below: (https://ml.globenewswire.com/1.0/snippet/3070/eng)
Liangzhu Archaeological Site Park
(https://ml.globenewswire.com/1.0/snippet/3070/eng)
Organized by the Hangzhou Liangzhu Archaeological Administrative District
Management Committee, these activities, including cross-cultural dialogues and
exhibitions, seek to showcase the Liangzhu culture and make Liangzhu known to
the world, establishing it as a cultural heritage site of global importance.
"Liangzhu" means "beautiful land in the water". The Liangzhu Ancient City was an
early state with urban civilization during the Neolithic period in the lower
Yangtze River region.
Within its vast archaeological site, a large number of remains such as river
channels, carbonized rice, jade artifacts, and burial sites have provided
evidence of a complex water management system, mature rice production, unified
cultural beliefs, and differentiated social classes.
These discoveries unveil the material civilization and spiritual world of an
ancient civilization dating back approximately 5,300 to 4,300 years ago, serving
as a unique testament to China's over five thousand years of civilization.
On July 6, 2019, during the 43rd session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee
held in Baku, capital of Azerbaijan, the Liangzhu Archaeological Site was
approved to be included in the World Heritage List. It became the 55th World
Heritage site in China and filled the gap in the World Heritage list for
Neolithic urban archaeological sites in East Asia.
As a World Heritage site, it is required to regularly submit heritage site
evaluation reports to UNESCO. One crucial aspect of these reports is heritage
monitoring.
Benefiting from Hangzhou's advanced digital technology, the Liangzhu
Archaeological Site has addressed the challenge of monitoring a wide range of
points within its vast area with limited manpower through the utilization of
digital technology.
Covering the excavation, protection, research, and utilization of cultural
relics, the Hangzhou Liangzhu Archaeological Administrative District Management
Committee has developed a set of digital applications to establish an
intelligent governance system for the invaluable ruins.
In the monitoring hall of the site's monitoring and management center, staff
members can simply click their mouse to instantly monitor real-time images from
different locations within the site, achieving efficient and timely monitoring
of the cultural relics.
Preserving the Liangzhu Archaeological Site is not only about protection but
also about bringing it to life.
With the aid of technologies such as 5G, VR, and AR, people can not only witness
the scenes of the Liangzhu ancestors but also "travel back in time" to 5,000
years ago and engage in activities such as hunting, fishing, and participating
in rituals alongside the ancient inhabitants.
Meanwhile, the representative elements of Liangzhu culture have been
incorporated into a diverse range of cultural and creative products.
From blind box dolls inspired by the Liangzhu ancestors to jewelry accessories
crafted with inspiration from unearthed jade artifacts, Liangzhu-themed products
have gained popularity among tourists. Presently, over 700 Liangzhu-themed
products have been developed, forming a rich Liangzhu cultural derivative
portfolio.
"The Liangzhu Archaeological Site has formed a complete exhibition system
consisting of the Liangzhu Museum and three archaeological parks," according to
an official with the site's management committee. Since 2019, the site has
welcomed over 9 million visitors, showcasing its significance and popularity
among tourists.
In addition to promoting Liangzhu culture domestically through developing
cultural tourism, Hangzhou is also striving to promote Liangzhu culture globally
and enhance the international influence of Chinese civilization through various
means.
In the autumn of 2023, Hangzhou hosted the 19th Asian Games. The Liangzhu
cultural elements were deeply integrated into every aspect of the Games, ranging
from the torch, mascot, and medal designs to the construction of venues, the
collection and transmission of the Asian Games flame, and the opening and
closing ceremonies. These creative combinations have showcased a unique Oriental
romance to the world.
At the end of 2023, the inaugural Liangzhu Forum was held in Hangzhou. Over 300
Chinese and foreign guests gathered at the Liangzhu Archaeological Site, which
refreshed their understanding of Chinese civilization.
In 2020, the Hangzhou's legislative body passed legislation to establish July 6
as "Hangzhou Liangzhu Day."
To mark the special day, the Liangzhu Archaeological Site has engaged in
dialogue with other world heritage sites such as Stonehenge in London, the
Acropolis in Athens, and will communicate with the ancient city of Toledo in
Spain this year. Through these exchanges, they explore innovations and the
future of heritage preservation.
Currently, Hangzhou is developing the Liangzhu Cultural Corridor, which aims to
connect the about 5,000-year-old Liangzhu culture, the over 2,000-year-old canal
culture, the over 1,000-year-old Jing Shan culture, and modern digital culture.
The goal is to transform the Liangzhu Archaeological Site Park into a cultural
pilgrimage site and a cultural tourism destination that embodies enriched
connotations, innovative achievements, and unique charm.
Source: Hangzhou Liangzhu Archaeological Administrative District Management
Committee
Â