History and Literature

Simuwu Bronze Vessel, a Treasure of Courtesy

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Simuwu Bronze Vessel, excavated in Anyang Yin Ruins in Henan Province, is the heaviest ancient bronze ware in the world by now, which is named for the three Chinese characters “Si Mu Wu“ carved on the belly of the vesse. With a height of 133mm and a weight of 833kg, Simuwu Bronze Vessel was moulded in the late period of Shang Dynasty (About 14 Century B.C. to 11 Century B.C.) with an august and overwhelming outline. It is a dominant sacrificial vessel in Shang and Zhou Dynasties, and it is presumed that Simuwu Bronze Vessel was moulded by the King of Shang for sacrificing his mother.
The lip edge of Simuwu Bronze Vessel is very thick, and its outline is square and straight, appearing an unshakable vigor. The center of the four elevations is hollow and plain, and surrounded with representative beasts and dragon patterns of the Shang dynasty. On the side of the ear of the vessel, two feral tigers opening their mouths and holding a head of a person together are carved on it, romancing a sense of urgency in spirit to show the supreme authority of the governing classes.
A ton of metal material and a huge smelter are needed to cast such grand bronze ware. Simuwu Bronze Vessel completely shows the production scale and technical level of bronze casting industry in the Shang Dynasty, and it is the representative work of the bronze culture in its heyday in the Shang Dynasty and is also an extremely precious national treasure of China.

Anyang Yin Ruins

Located in North-west Xiaotun Village, Anyang City, Henan Province, Yin Ruins is the first recorded and archaeologically-recognized relics as the capital city in Shang Dynasty.

Oracle Bone Inscriptions

Oracle Bone Inscriptions

Oracle bone inscription is the most ancient character of China.
Capital Move of Pangeng

Capital Move of Pangeng

When the Shang Dynasty was established, Bo, the current Shangqiu City, Henan Province, was set as its capital.
Wuding Resurgence

Wuding Resurgence

The emperor Wuding of Shang Dynasty with posthumous title "Gaozong" was in the reign for 59 years, during which the Shang Dynasty reached its zenith, and this period of time was called "Wuding...
Palace and Ancestral Temple Site of Yin Ruins

Palace and Ancestral Temple Site of Yin Ruins

With a total area of 71.5 hectares, the Palace and Ancestral Temple Site is an integral part and the most important site of Yin Ruins, where distributes a large number of oracle bone storage pits.
Royal Cemetery Site of Yin Ruins

Royal Cemetery Site of Yin Ruins

The Royal Cemetery Site of Yin Ruins is the location of Shang mausoleums area and lieu for sacrifice, which marks the beginning of emperor mausoleum system in China.
The Museum of Yin Ruins

The Museum of Yin Ruins

Established in 1987 with a land area of over 100 mu, the Museum of Yin Ruins was designed by famous ancient building experts strictly based on the original sites.
Stone Chime with Tiger Patterns

Stone Chime with Tiger Patterns

It is a stone chime carved with the pattern of a complete tiger with the fluent and complicated lines.
Pottery Drainpipe

Pottery Drainpipe

The insert pottery drainpipe takes the shape of a cylinder; with its one end small while the other big and thick.
Jade Dragon

Jade Dragon

This jade dragon is a circular sculpture that is blackish green on one side and slightly brown on the other.
Bronze Mirror

Bronze Mirror

Altogether five Shang-Dynasty mirrors have been unearthed at present.