Wang Xiaoping, Secretary of the CPC Jiaozuo Municipal Committee of Henan Province inspected ancient city site in Huai CountyPublish Date:2020-11-09 19:50

 On the morning of November 7, Wang Xiaoping, Secretary of the CPC Jiaozuo Municipal Committee of Henan Province, visited the ancient city site in Huai County in Tucheng village, Wuzhi County-- the archaeological site of Henan University, to inspect and direct the work. He was accompanied by Yingjun, Secretary of the CPC Wuzhi County CPC Committee, Shen Lin, Head of People's Government of Wuzhi County, and relevant leaders of culture and tourism organizations in Jiaozuo and Wuzhi County. The teachers and internship students of the archaeological team at the ancient city site in Huai County gave them a warm reception.

The ancient city site is located in Dahongqiao Township between Tucheng village and Zhuyuan village, Wuzhi County. It was the political, economic and cultural center of Henei County in Northern Henan Province during the Han Dynasty. On August 30, in order to cooperate with the field archaeology teaching work of archaeology major, 33 teachers and students from the Department of Archaeology and Museology of School of History and Culture of Henan university entered Tucheng village to carry out a four-month archaeological excavation. At present, all work is progressing smoothly. The remains of the city walls, gates, dams, buildings, roads and a large number of valuable cultural relics of the Eastern Han Dynasty have been discovered.

Liu Zhongwei, the project leader of archaeological team at the ancient city site in Huai County, Wuzhi County, gave a detailed report on the archaeological work to Secretary Wang Xiaoping. Firstly, combining with General Secretary Xi Jinping's speech at the 23rd collective session held by the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on September 28th, he introduced the development of archaeology and the importance of excavation of ancient city ruins in Huai County to the study of the Yellow River culture. On the way to the excavation area, Secretary Wang Xiaoping of the CPC Jiaozuo Municipal Committee visited the publicity display boards which were connected with the summary of General Secretary Xi's speech, the knowledge of cultural relics protection laws and regulations, the information of Henan University and archaeology, the basic introduction of the construction site and work discipline. Then he highly appreciated the standardization of the archaeological site construction. 


In the No.1 excavation area of the ancient city site of Huai County, Liu Zhongwei made an introduction of the history and status, recorded document and the basis for determining the location of the ancient site. On the basis of the archaeological analysis since 2019, he introduced the discovery process of such significant relics as its scope and area, the city wall and boundaries, the gate and moat, the flood-control dam and diversion channel in the north of the city. Secretary Wang showed great interest in the utilization and flood-control facilities of Qin River. Also he was curious about archaeological excavation tool--Luoyang shovel at the site of Huai County. Therefore, the teachers and students demonstrated how to use Luoyang shovel for him.

Afterwards, accompanied by Liu Zhongwei, Wang Xiaoping went to the excavation unit to observe the digging of the site and the working conditions of teachers and students. Liu Zhongwei reported to Secretary Wang on the purpose and significance of selecting such a site. He stressed the distinctions in the purpose, method and content between the Eastern excavation area and the Western excavation area. Moreover, he explained the stratigraphic deposits of the No.1 excavation area, the buildings and road remains of the Han Dynasty that had been discovered. In addition, he elaborated on the Western excavation area which played a vital role in understanding the construction time, abandoned age, using process, construction method of the ancient city wall of Huai County, as well as its significance to the study of Chinese urban architectural history. During the explanation, Secretary Wang discussed many times with Liu Zhongwei on the location of the city gate and working methods. Then he highly praised the work of the archaeological team.

On the west side of No.1 excavation area, Secretary Wang carefully observed parts of the important relics unearthed in the ancient city site in Huai County. There were many kinds of antiquities, such as Taodou (a vessel made of pottery), pottery bowls, pottery sculptures, copper coins and other daily life utensils of the Han Dynasty. Also, there were some uncommon and valuable items such as purple octagonal prism and topaz used by the nobles. Secretary Wang picked up the relics, and scrutinized them when listening to Liu Zhongwei's description of the methods of identifying the age, nature and function of the relics. He expressed keen interest in the working methods of archaeology.

After visiting the excavation area, Liu Zhongwei further explained to Secretary Wang the following working plan of the ancient city, and focused on the significance of studying the history of urban development and Yellow River culture in the Central Plains area. In addition, he made a detailed report on the site of its future protection and utilization, exhibition and publicity, plus cooperation between University practice and local construction. Secretary Wang Xiaoping expressed his gratitude for our school's ability to carry out archaeological work at the site and appreciation of the work of teachers and students. He pointed out that archaeological work is of great significance of increasing the confidence in Chinese civilization and culture, enriching the connotation of national culture and enhancing the ability to unite the people. What’s more, the archaeological excavation has a far-reaching meaning on the improvement of urban image and cultural construction of Jiaozuo City and Wuzhi County. He hoped that the teachers and students of the archaeological team would continue to promote the spirit of rigorous scholarship and arduous struggle, combine with the practical work the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's speech on September 28, and further explore the excavation and protection of the ancient city site in Huai County, and strive to make this excavation an excellent cultural achievement of Henan University archaeology, and make it an excellent cultural brand of Jiaozuo and Wuzhi County. It is in a crucial position for the protection and display of the cultural heritage of the Central Plains and the Chinese nation.