Overlooking the sea from Xiantouling ridgeShenzhen Museum
1. Shenzhen's history can be traced back 7,000 years
Around 7,000 years ago, primitive humans lived in Xiantouling, which is modern-day Mirs Bay in Shenzhen. They are the earliest-known immigrants to Shenzhen.
Clay Zun (Middle Neolithic)Shenzhen Museum
They had a high level of craftsmanship and made exquisite pottery.For example, this textured urn that was unearthed in Xiantouling is beautiful and precise, and the quality of the unglazed porcelain is exquisite. Its surface is polished smooth and it makes for an intricate and refined table decoration.
Engraved stoneware (Middle Neolithic)Shenzhen Museum
Do you know what this stone tool was used for?
There are various theories about what this grooved stone tool was used for. One theory is that it is for grinding and was used to remove calluses from human skin, especially from the heels. Another idea is that it is a tool for imprinting patterns when making pottery. It is also hypothesized to be a stone bat that was used to make bark cloth.
Aerial view of tombs at Wubeiling (2001-12-01)Shenzhen Museum
This is an aerial photo of the archeological excavation site of 94 tombs, the largest collection of Shang dynasty tombs found and excavated in the Lingnan region.Given the density of these tombs, we can estimate that Shenzhen was already quite populous during the Shang dynasty.
Bronze spear (Spring and Autumn period)Shenzhen Museum
The people here were often at war. The history books state that the "Yue people enjoyed war."
Pitcher from Shang dynasty (Shang dynasty)Shenzhen Museum
2. The development of folk science and technology in Shenzhen was relatively advanced
During the Shang dynasty, there was already a technical aspect to the cups people used to drink water.These cups with spouts allowed the liquid to flow into the mouth without spilling all over the floor.
Brick carved with multiplication table (Eastern Han dynasty)Shenzhen Museum
During the Han dynasty, the people of Shenzhen had already started to use multiplication tables.
This brick engraved with a nine by nine multiplication table shows us that mathematics was developed and popular in Shenzhen over 1,800 years ago.
Chicken-head ewer (Southern dynasty)Shenzhen Museum
Social unrest during the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern dynasties caused a lot of people from the Central Plains, both common folk and gentry, to head south, which prompted a period of rapid development in the craft industry in the south, which had been mainly centered around ceramics.
This chicken head jug is a popular style of jug from the Eastern Jin and Southern dynasties.
Black glazed cup (Song dynasty)Shenzhen Museum
The small cups that people used for drinking tea in the Tang dynasty were black and shiny and made with excellent craftsmanship.
Model of salt production (2008)Shenzhen Museum
3. Shenzhen's maritime industry has flourished
Shenzhen is located by the ocean, so growing oysters, making salt, and harvesting pearls are all important pillars of life for its coastal residents.
The salt industry in and around Shenzhen has historically been well developed. During the Song dynasty, the development reached its peak when five salt fields were established. According to the chapter on salt laws in the Song Government Manuscript: Food, the annual production of the Diefu Salt Farm was 15,000 dan (about 900 ton).
Farming Shajing oysters (1979)Shenzhen Museum
The history of oyster production in Shenzhen goes back to the Jin dynasty.The Jinkang oysters of Jinkang and Guide (in modern-day Shajing) during the Song dynasty and the Shajing oysters since the Ming and Qing dynasties are artificially cultivated and well-known oysters.
The ancient town of Nantou (1394 (Reign of Hongwu Emperor, Ming dynasty))Shenzhen Museum
4. Shenzhen has been an important coastal town since ancient times
During the Ming and Qing dynasties, people built two large cities here to defend themselves against pirates.Nantou, Shenzhen is located at the intersection of two waterways and was the strategic location of Guangdong's coastal defense stronghold.The city of Nantou was built in the 27th year of Hongwu during the Ming dynasty (1394).
Dapeng Fortress Gate (1394 (Reign of Hongwu Emperor, Ming dynasty))Shenzhen Museum
Dapeng Fortress was built over 600 years from the start of the Ming dynasty to the end of the Qing dynasty. It was continually invaded by Japanese pirates and invaders, so the royal court continually added troops to it.Historical records state that Dapeng was the best of all the coastal fortresses, which shows that its strategic position was very important.
Aerial View of Dawanshiju (1791 (Reign of Qianlong Emperor, Qing dynasty))Shenzhen Museum
5. Shenzhen's Hakka culture has a long history
Castle-style compounds are a distinctive residential building style built by the Hakka people during the Qing dynasty in Shenzhen.They are one of the five traditional architectural styles of Chinese dwellings, with both defensive and residential functions. The halls retain the traditional square courtyard style of the Central Plains Han people but reflect the characteristics of the Hakka immigrant culture.
The Dawan Former Residence located in Pingshan, Longgang, Shenzhen is one of the largest Hakka compounds in existence. The Hakka people like living together here, enjoying each other's company and growing old together.
