Tap to explore
Since ancient times, the Lingnan region where Shenzhen is located has had its own unique cultural traditions and paths of development.
Pre-Qin Archaeological Sites in NanshanNanshan Museum
There were multiple tribes in the prehistoric southeastern coastal areas of China, known as the Baiyue people.The Baiyue people, also known as the ancient Yue people, created an independent prehistoric culture in Lingnan.
There were multiple tribes in the prehistoric southeastern coastal areas of China, known as the Baiyue people.The Baiyue people, also known as the ancient Yue people, created an independent prehistoric culture in Lingnan.
Neolithic Archaeological FindsNanshan Museum
About 6,000 years ago, in the middle of the Neolithic age, there were already humans living on the land that was to become Nanshan.
Stone AdzeNanshan Museum
These are the tools and items that these primitive ancestors used.
Stamped pottery jar Stamped pottery jar (Late Neolithic Period)Nanshan Museum
This is a clay pot that was used to hold food or water.
The Excavation of Wubeiling of Shang DynastyNanshan Museum
In 2001, an area of Wubeiling was excavated and 81 Shang dynasty tombs were discovered. This is the largest collection of Shang dynasty tombs found in Lingnan, and it proves that Lingnan had its own civilization as early as 3,000 years ago.
Pottery VesselNanshan Museum
The type of Shang dynasty pottery typically found in Wubeiling includes jugs and ceramic food vessels, often decorated with grid patterns, leaves, and zigzags.
Pottery jar with rounded base Pottery jar with rounded base (Warring States period)Nanshan Museum
The Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods were important times in the development of the ancient Yue people.They used double-shouldered stone axes, adzes, and pottery with geometric Kui or rice character patterns, lived in stilt houses, and grew rice or hunted and fished.
Net SinkerNanshan Museum
As the saying goes, the mountain dweller lives off the mountain, the shore dweller lives off the sea.Let's have a look at their fishing tool first: a perforated net sinker stone weight.
Net Sinker DiagramNanshan Museum
Perforated stone weights weighing more than 500 grams could be used as sinking stones, while those weighing less than 500 grams could be used as net sinkers.
Ornamental Vietnamese Bamboo SwordNanshan Museum
The Yue also mastered bronze smelting and could make bronze weapons and tools.
Stone MoldNanshan Museum
Stone molds were used to cast bronze items.The molten material would be put into the mold, and once it had cooled and solidified, the shape of the mold would be achieved.
This is also evidence that the people of Nanshan had mastered the casting of small bronze tools during the Shang and Zhou dynasties.
Kui Patterned Pottery (春秋)Nanshan Museum
Geometric-patterned pottery is the most characteristic relic of the ancient Yue people.
This item of geometric-patterned pottery from the Warring States period was unearthed from Dieshi Mountain in 1987. It is hard and dense with an elaborate and delicate pattern, and is evidence of prosperity in the ancient Yue civilization around the Pearl River estuary.
Tap to explore
A building was also found at the same site, a stilt house, which is also an important feature of the Baiyue culture.
Stilt HouseNanshan Museum
During the Warring States period, the ancient Yue people had already formed a civilization and constructed a stilt housing block. A relatively stable way of living had begun.
It is rainy in Lingnan, so the roofs with long ridges and short eaves and the raised floors helped to prevent dampness.
The house was split into sections, with the middle being communal, the upstairs for people to live, and down below for raising livestock.Rooms were multipurpose, creating an efficient use of space.
