The National Cultural Heritage Administration held a press conference in Beijing on Nov 6 to announce the official opening of the Taosi Site Museum in North China's Shanxi province on Nov 12.

Located at the Taosi National Archaeological Park entrance in Xiangfen county, Linfen city, the museum covers nearly 10,000 square meters with exhibition halls spanning around 5,000 sq m. It contains 230 artifacts, including pottery and jade unearthed from the Taosi site, presenting the archaeological excavations and research findings of the 3,900 to 4,300-year-old Taosi culture.

The Taosi Site Museum. [Photo/Shanxi Daily]

The Institute of Archaeology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences played a significant role in building the museum, providing a series of exhibited artifacts to support its development. The museum will operate on a reservation-based ticketing system and offer individual and group bookings, all under real-name registration.

With the opening of the Taosi Site Museum, Linfen plans to promote the construction of the Taosi historical and cultural demonstration area, the Taosi National Archaeological Park, and the Taosi Cultural and Artistic Creative Park.

According to the head of the National Cultural Heritage Administration's archaeology department, research indicates that the Taosi settlement in its early and middle periods (approximately 4,000-4,300 years ago) already showcased early national characteristics. This provides substantial support for understanding the formation and development of the diverse and integrated pattern of Chinese civilization over 5,000 years.

The Taosi Site Museum will showcase the site's archaeological research results, offering a new public cultural space for local people and contributing to China's innovative approach to conserving and utilizing large archaeological sites.