Echoes of Hongshan cross oceans

Standing before a display case at the Liaoning Provincial Museum in Shenyang, Liaoning province, Sarah Jane Rutter studied a jade pig-dragon from Hongshan culture, created more than 5,000 years ago.

For the Victoria University student, the artifact revealed just how far back two enduring symbols of Chinese culture — jade and dragons — could be traced.

"I already knew how important both jade and dragons are in Chinese culture, but I had no idea that their significance dated back to the Neolithic period," Rutter said. "It's incredible to think that symbols that remain so central to Chinese culture today have such ancient origins."

For Rutter, Hongshan culture was no longer something that existed only in books and images. The jade artifact before her — along with the museums, archaeological sites and hands-on activities that followed — made a distant prehistoric civilization more immediate.

Rutter was among 11 students from Australian universities who participated in a two-week archaeological study program organized by Liaoning University from July 1 to 14.

The students traveled through Shenyang, Fushun and Chaoyang. Their journey took them from sites linked to the early Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) to core areas of Hongshan culture, a prehistoric archaeological culture dating back more than 5,000 years.

At the Shenyang Palace Museum and the Liaoning Provincial Museum, the students took notes, recorded videos and asked guides questions as they examined artifacts spanning different periods of Liaoning's history.

In Fushun, the group visited the Old City of Hetu Ala, a key site associated with the region's pre-Qing history. Its streets, walls, local stories and food offered a more tangible sense of the era than museum displays alone. At a Manchu pastry shop, the students were introduced to traditional specialties such as sachima — a sweet pastry made from fried strands of dough — and sticky bean buns.

The experience was particularly intriguing for Tinashe Katiyo, another Victoria University student, who said the visits offered a glimpse into a way of life and a culture far beyond his own familiar surroundings.

Inspired by the trip, Katiyo had already begun looking into exchange opportunities and one-year study programs in Liaoning. He was also considering "picking up some Chinese so I can actually immerse myself more into the culture".

After learning about Liaoning's more recent history in Shenyang and Fushun, the students continued to the Mongolian autonomous county of Harqin Left Wing in Chaoyang, one of the principal centers of Hongshan culture and the main base for the program's fieldwork.

Under the guidance of experts, they tried their hand at making stone tools and pottery and took part in simulated artifact restoration.

"I really loved the way the tour was designed," said Lauren Alexandra Wood, also from Victoria University. "We've gone from classroom academic learning to being able to apply that knowledge in the field."

The most physically demanding activity was constructing a small replica of a Hongshan-style semi-subterranean dwelling.

Han Bo, a teacher at Liaoning University's School of International Education, said he had initially worried that the labor involved in grinding stone, moving earth and building the structure might discourage the students. He was also concerned about the possibility of minor injuries during the work.

Those concerns quickly disappeared once the activity began.

Divided into groups, the students took on different responsibilities. Some shaped earth into bricks, while others carried and prepared materials for construction.

"Everyone pitched in," Han said. "They helped one another and built the circular wall together, turning a series of demanding tasks into a genuine team effort."

Liu Yanfei, a student volunteer from the school, said communication occasionally faltered because of language differences. However, a gesture, a clay brick or a demonstration was often enough to keep the work moving.

"It felt as if we were not separated by an ocean, but were old friends who had known each other for a long time," she said.

The group also visited other major sites associated with Hongshan culture, including Niuheliang and Dongshanzui. At these sites, the archaeological remains were no longer isolated points on a map. The students could see how the sites related to the surrounding terrain and consider the relationship between the landscape, available resources and the lives of ancient communities.

For University of New South Wales student Declan Jacques Curran, the combination of archaeological sites and museum visits was particularly valuable.

"Being able to see a real archaeological dig and the process that goes into making discoveries was really special," he said. "And then blending that experience with going to museums, where we could see pieces like the goddess sculpture and the jade pig-dragons, made it even more meaningful."

Han said the integration of classroom study, site visits and practical work was central to the program.

"Simply reading books and viewing images in a classroom makes it difficult for students to develop a deep understanding," he said. "Combining site visits with immersive, hands-on activities provides a direct cultural experience that books cannot replace."

Beyond its academic focus, the program also marked Rutter's first visit to China. She said the support she received from Liaoning University's teachers and student volunteers allowed her to engage with the country more deeply than she could have as an ordinary tourist.

"They supported us in every aspect of the study tour — academically, logistically and practically — and always made us feel welcome," she said. "It was wonderful to see genuine friendships develop, and I hope those connections will continue long after the program."

Wu Bingyi contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at zhouhuiying@chinadaily.com.cn