Turquoise dragon of Erlitou: A treasure from 4,000 years ago

Located in Luoyang City, Henan Province, the Erlitou archaeological site has been confirmed as the largest central city site on the East Asian continent from the early 2nd millennium BC. It is also the earliest large-scale capital site from China's Bronze Age with clear urban planning.

Many scholars believe that Erlitou was a capital of China's first dynasty - the Xia Dynasty (around 2070 BC-1600 BC) and refer to it as the "Xia Ruins." The significance of the Erlitou site lies not only in its scale and layout but also in the precious artifacts unearthed there.

Among the most remarkable is an artifact shaped like a Chinese dragon, made up of over 2,000 pieces of turquoise. This exquisite artifact was found in the tomb of an ancient aristocrat, located in the palace area of the site. Measuring around 70 centimeters in length, the dragon-shaped relic is unique among early Chinese dragon artifacts due to its size, craftsmanship, and the sheer number of turquoise pieces used, making it a national treasure in China.

Archaeologists believe that the tomb owner was likely an important official during the Xia Dynasty, as he was buried in the palace area and allowed to take many treasures with him after his death. This dragon-shaped artifact not only reflects the craftsmanship of the time but also showcases the early stages of Chinese dragon culture.

The excavation of the Erlitou site offers a glimpse into the splendor of early Chinese urban civilization from thousands of years ago, revealing the wisdom and creativity of early Chinese people. The Erlitou site is undoubtedly a crucial window for studying ancient Chinese civilization and an essential basis for understanding Chinese history.