People visit the Mojiaoshan Palace Site at the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City park in Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province, July 4, 2024. Photo: Xinhua

"Following the confirmation of 11 dams around the outer water conservancy systems of the Liangzhu Ruins in earlier studies, archaeologists have recently discovered more than 20 additional dams by making use of technology such as remote sensing, geographic information systems, and artificial intelligence. This discovery has essentially revealed the complete layout of the Liangzhu water system," said Chen Guangsheng, director of the Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Department of Zhejiang Province, at a press conference for the second Liangzhu Forum on Wednesday.

The Liangzhu Ruins, located in East China's Zhejiang Province, have gained the world's recognition as a testimony to the existence of Chinese civilization at least 5,000 years ago. They have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

"The construction of dams can be seen as one of the hallmarks of the Liangzhu civilization's advanced development 5,000 years ago. Only early forms of state-level societies could have undertaken such monumental engineering projects," Liu Zheng, a member of the China Cultural Relics Academy, told the Global Times on Thursday.

"Discovering hydraulic engineering sites is one of the challenges in archaeological work. However, the use of advanced technology has introduced innovation into the field of archaeology, making it easier to advance research," he said.

The site was initially studied in 1936. Over the years, more than 350 sites have been identified, including newly uncovered dams.

In the early phase of the Liangzhu culture, settlements showed clear social stratification, with smaller villages utilizing the mountainous landscape for development. However, the site lacked a unified plan, reflecting a dispersed, multi-centered pattern. 

By the middle phase, large ceremonial spaces were constructed at the center of the site, maintaining a consistent distance of about three kilometers from the surrounding mountains, demonstrating a centralized planning concept. In the late phase, the construction of city walls and outer defenses continued, forming a well-organized ancient urban system.

"These research findings confirm the revolutionary changes in the structure of the Liangzhu site over different periods, illustrating the clear process of early state-level social organization and evolution. They also provide a solid example for research into the origins of Chinese civilization," Chen said at the press conference.

At the Wednesday press conference, it was announced that the second Liangzhu Forum is scheduled to be held from November 25 to 27 in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province. 

The forum, with the theme of "exchange and mutual learning for a new era of human civilization," will bring together approximately 100 international guests from 63 countries and regions. 

During the upcoming second Liangzhu Forum, the National Cultural Heritage Administration will officially designate Liangzhu as the site for the establishment of the "Liangzhu International Archaeological Center." The center's creation is expected to further promote international collaboration and exchange in the field of archaeology.