Tan Xiaoling, deputy director of the Capital Museum, introduces the Unveiling Sanxingdui of Ancient Shu Civilization exhibition during a media briefing at the Capital Museum in Beijing on June 18, 2024. Photo: Dong Feng/GT

A blockbuster exhibition titled Unveiling Sanxingdui of Ancient Shu Civilization will be held at the Grand Canal Museum of Beijing, Capital Museum East Branch, starting on June 27. Many exhibits will be displayed outside Southwest China's Sichuan Province for the first time, according to a media briefing at Beijing's Capital Museum on Tuesday.

Tan Xiaoling, deputy director of the Capital Museum, told the Global Times that the exhibition's three sections will guide visitors through unraveling the mysterious origins of Chinese civilization.

In the first section, visitors will discover the story behind the archaeological discoveries at Sichuan's Sanxingdui site.

"From its accidental discovery to the deep dive into archaeological studies, visitors will understand the Chinese characteristics in the development of archaeology from the perspective of social changes," said Tan.

Moving to the second section, the ambiance shifts as the focus turns to archaeological achievements. Alongside documentary references, this section will showcase the unique allure and artistic accomplishments of Sanxingdui culture, highlighting the wisdom and creativity of the ancient Shu people, Tan added.

Tan emphasized that for Chinese visitors, this exhibition presents another opportunity to bolster cultural self-confidence.

The third section delves into the positioning of Sanxingdui civilization, examining its historical and geographical contexts within the broader matrix of Sichuan culture. As a crucial part of China's diverse civilization, Sanxingdui holds unique significance in Chinese cultural history, noted Tan.

Featuring a total of 258 exhibits, some of which are premiering outside Sichuan for the first time, the exhibition promises to be visually captivating.

In a display of creativity, the museum is also launching cultural products inspired by Sanxingdui, allowing visitors to take home pieces of their favorite exhibition highlights. This initiative aims to rejuvenate interest in ancient Shu culture.

"As one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century, Sanxingdui stands as a landmark achievement in archaeology. It has unearthed numerous invaluable cultural relics and preserved a rich historical and cultural legacy," emphasized Tan.

Beijing's Capital Museum is initiating a series of notable exhibitions, with the Sanxingdui exhibition marking the inaugural installment focusing on the roots of Chinese civilization.

Additionally, the exhibition will incorporate modern interactive elements, employing artificial intelligence and mobile technology to enhance visitor engagement with cultural relics, said Tan.

Admission to the exhibition will be free, and the museum has implemented a smart queuing system to manage visitor flow and maintain optimal capacity within the exhibit hall throughout the exhibition period.