Syrian artifacts shed light on cultural exchange and diversity of early civilizations

An exhibition featuring 95 precious artifacts from Syria is currently being held at the Dalian Museum in Dalian, Liaoning province, sparking appreciation for diverse civilizations among visitors.

Titled Incredible Syria, the exhibition of antiquities showcases items on loan from eight Syrian cultural institutions, including the National Museum of Damascus and the National Museum of Aleppo.

Jiang Ye, the curator of the exhibition and director of the Dalian Museum, says that Syria's position places it in the corridor from Africa to the rest of Asia and into Europe, which makes it a focus of cultural innovation and dissemination.

"We hope that through this exhibition, visitors can use these tangible artifacts, now close at hand, to understand the diversity of early human civilizations and observe and contemplate the exchanges and mutual learning between different civilizations," she says.

The collection encompasses stone tools, pottery, bronze ware, gold and silver artifacts, and statues, systematically presenting the historical and cultural context of Syria from the Paleolithic Age to the 1600s in chronological order.

The most ancient item on display is a stone hand axe from the early Paleolithic Age, dating back 500,000 to 300,000 years.

Another highlight is a statue of a worshipper, dressed in typical Sumerian attire and striking a pose as if in prayer.

"Despite the changes of time and kingdoms, Syria's rich cultural heritage remains amazing," the exhibition's description states.

"As the common wealth left by history to people throughout the world, though silent, the cultural relics carry the wonderful diversity of civilizations."

Cao Mingyu, an associate professor of history at Dalian University who specializes in ancient West Asian history and culture, notes that archaeological discoveries and research, both domestic and international, indicate that ancient West Asia and Central Asia, including Syria, had close interactions among populations and cultural exchanges with ancient China.

"The ancient Silk Road routes functioned like a major artery for civilizational engagement between the East and West, comprehensively promoting communication and exchange among countries along the route and jointly advancing the development of world civilization," says Cao, pointing out that several exhibits vividly highlight these characteristics.

A piece of silky fabric from the National Museum of Damascus, unearthed from a tomb in the ancient city of Palmyra, is believed to have been imported from China, underscoring its crucial commercial role along the Silk Road.

In addition to the Syrian antiquities, the exhibition also includes one cultural relic replica from the Dunhuang Academy and two artifacts from the Gansu Provincial Museum. The host museum is also displaying eight pieces from its own collection of painted pottery.

One notable piece from the provincial museum is a Tang Dynasty (618-907) brocade with a five-color bird pattern.

It combines Persian-style pearl roundel patterns with the auspicious symbolism of the Chinese phoenix, serving as a witness to prosperous foreign exchanges and the depth of cultural integration.

Since its opening on Sept 30, the exhibition has been growing in popularity.

During the National Day holiday, the museum recorded 20,126 visitors on Oct 3 alone, a 73 percent increase year-on-year, setting a new single-day attendance record for the Dalian Museum. The exhibition is set to last until Jan 8 and is free to the public.

With support from Art Exhibitions China under the National Cultural Heritage Administration, a total of 195 Syrian antiquities — including those currently on display in Dalian — have been exhibited in more than 10 Chinese cities, including Shenzhen in Guangdong province, Chengdu in Sichuan province, and Beijing, since August 2021.