“What secrets lie buried beneath our feet?” I ask you now standing before the \u4e1c\u839e\u869d\u5c97\u9057\u5740\u535a\u7269\u9986. This museum isn’t just a building. It is a window into Dongguan’s ancient past.
\u4e1c\u839e\u869d\u5c9d\u9057\u5740\u535a\u7269\u9986 stands as Guangdong’s first museum built on a relic site. It is a nationally protected heritage site. Here at the \u4e1c\u839e\u869d\u5c9d\u9057\u5740\u535a\u7269\u9986, archaeologists unearthed two remarkably preserved Neolithic human remains in 2003. Experts have since called this site “the first village of the Pearl River Delta.” It is also known as “the foundation of Dongguan’s history and culture.” This discovery extended Dongguan’s known history back to the Neolithic Age.
But how did this site come to be? It all started with Tan Zhiheng in 1988. Tan was an amateur archaeologist. He believed Dongguan held more prehistoric treasures. His friend joked that he was like a ghost, searching far and wide while ignoring what was close. The friend pointed out that Haogang Village meant a village with shell mounds. Tan realized this could mean a shell mound site.
Tan started excavating during holidays. He found animal bones and burned clay. He also discovered pottery shards. Local farmers mentioned a stone circle that could be a prehistoric altar. Tan believed the \u4e1c\u839e\u869d\u5c9d\u9057\u5740\u535a\u7269\u9986 site was a 5000-year-old Neolithic shell mound.
Tan reported his findings. City archaeologist Wang Hongxing confirmed its archaeological importance. In 1990, Guangdong archaeologists visited the \u4e1c\u839e\u869d\u5c9d\u9057\u5740\u535a\u7269\u9986 site. They recognized its significance. The site was then protected.
In 2003, joint excavations uncovered pottery and stone tools. Bone tools and clam artifacts were also found. Discoveries included sintering soil, houses and tombs. Two complete human skeletons were unearthed. This confirmed the site’s importance.
Interestingly, the \u4e1c\u839e\u869d\u5c9d\u9057\u5740\u535a\u7269\u9986 reveals Dongguan’s ancient geography. Five thousand years ago, Dongguan was a small island. The site was located at the intersection of fresh and saltwater. This made it a perfect breeding ground for shellfish. Ancient people ate these shellfish. Discarded shells formed mounds over time. These mounds aided Tan Zhiheng’s discovery.
Opened in June 2007, the \u4e1c\u839e\u869d\u5c9d\u9057\u5740\u535a\u7269\u9986 is now free to the public. It is a key cultural landmark. It showcases Lingnan prehistoric culture. The \u4e1c\u839e\u869d\u5c9d\u9057\u5740\u535a\u7269\u9986 also displays the pottery culture of China’s three major rivers.
Tan Zhiheng advocated for the site’s preservation. He suggested a memorial even if small. His persistence led to the museum. Initially, the museum had three floors. Exhibits included relics, pottery and interactive displays. These recreate the lives of people from 5000 years ago.
The \u4e1c\u839e\u869d\u5c9d\u9057\u5740\u535a\u7269\u9986 also serves as a youth education center. It features interactive exhibits and pottery workshops. Here, students can experience archaeology. They can restore artifacts and design pottery.
Currently, an exhibition displays various shells. This teaches students about shellfish. The \u4e1c\u839e\u869d\u5c9d\u9057\u5740\u535a\u7269\u9986 is more than a museum. It connects us to our ancestors. It shows us the deep history beneath our feet. As you leave, consider the echoes of the past. They shape the present.