3.4.2024 – 8.7.2024

Special Exhibition Gallery and 1/F Main Lobby, Hong Kong Museum of History

Free Admission

Jointly presented by
Leisure & Cultural Services Department
Henan Provincial Administration of Cultural Heritage

Jointly organised by
Hong Kong Museum of History
Henan Museum

Solely sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust

In collaboration with
Chinese Culture Promotion Office

Supported by
Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Heritage and Archaeology
Zhengzhou Museum
Zhengzhou Municipal Institute of Archaeology
Luoyang Museum
Erlitou Site Museum of the Xia Capital
National Museum of Chinese Writing
Anyang Municipal Museum
Anyang Institute of Cultural Heritage and Archaeology
Xinxiang Museum
Guo State Museum Of Sanmenxia
Nanyang Institute for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage
Xinyang Museum
Linzhou Museum
Ye County Preservation of Cultural Relics Centre

Located in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, Henan was China’s political, economic and cultural centre from the prehistoric period to the Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties, the Han and Tang dynasties, and the Northern Song dynasty. The three earliest dynasties in Chinese history – the Xia, Shang and Zhou – established their capital cities in Henan, leaving behind a wealth of historical and cultural heritage. ‘The Ancient Civilisation of the Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasties in Henan Province’ exhibition, jointly organised by the Hong Kong Museum of History and the Henan Museum, showcases selected exhibits from the collections of the Henan Museum, as well as a dozen other museums and cultural institutions in the province, to give members of the public an understanding of the civilisation and history of ancient China, starting from the earliest dynasties.

Through over 150 sets of exhibits – including large and complete sets of bronze ware, jade ware, pottery, bone ware and oracle bones, the exhibition traces important cities’ remains in Henan province and introduces the political, social and cultural landscapes, as well as the rituals and etiquette of the three dynasties. The exhibition also introduces the State-led Xia-Shang-Zhou Chronology Project and the Chinese Civilisation Origins Project to enhance public awareness of these national Chinese historical research projects and Chinese civilisation.

This exhibition marks the first programme of the General History of Chinese History Exhibition Series, which is co-presented by the Hong Kong Museum of History and Chinese Culture Promotion Office. The series will introduce the significant periods of Chinese history in chronological order from the earliest Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties to modern times, giving the audiences a more concrete understanding of the development and continuity of Chinese history and culture as well as the course of historical development of China.