Nurtured by the Same Water, Bronze Age Civilizations in the Yangtze River Basin at Guangdong Museum is the first such exhibition held in Guangdong province to showcase the Bronze Age civilizations in the Yangtze River Basin. It displays 137 rare exhibits from the region. ZHENG ERQI/CHINA DAILY

"Meanwhile, throughout the exhibition period, visitors can also participate in various related activities, including interactive digital exhibitions, and making rubbings of bronze ware patterns, to gain a deeper understanding of the Bronze Age civilizations," says Ye, who is also deputy research librarian of the collection management department of Guangdong Museum.

The exhibition consists of four parts, including "Ba and Shu Shine Together", "Heroes Rose Together", "Unity in Diversity" and "Unification of the Country".

Of them, the first part "Ba and Shu Shine Together" interprets the ancient Shu civilization, represented by the Sanxingdui Site, Jinsha Site, and Xindu Majia Wooden Coffin Tomb, from the perspective of the Yangtze River Basin, showcasing the mystery and uniqueness of the Ba and Shu civilizations from multiple perspectives.

Ba and Shu were regions associated with modern-day Chongqing municipality and Sichuan province, named after ancient Chinese states during the Shang (c. 16th century-11th century BC) and Zhou (c. 11th century-256 BC) dynasties.

Ba and Shu were the two most important ancient states coexisting in the area during the pre-Qin period (before 221 BC).

The section "Heroes Rose Together" reveals the grandeur of the feudal kingdoms, the unique and romantic customs of the Jing and Chu, and the advocating of boating and martial arts practice by the ancestors of the Wu and Yue, highlighting the distinctive characteristics of the Bronze Age civilizations in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River.

"Unity in Diversity" analyzes and compares the Bronze Age civilizations in the Yangtze River Basin with the diverse integration pattern of Chinese civilizations in the Central Plains region.

It interprets the characteristics of the open and inclusive Bronze Age civilizations in the Yangtze River Basin, as well as the diversity, exchanges and mutual learning of civilizations in the regions near the Yangtze River and Central Plains.

The "Unification of the Country "section tells the story of the integration of Bronze Age civilizations in the Yangtze River Basin with other Chinese civilizations.