Hemudu Site Museum

Hemudu Site Museum

The Hemudu Site Museum serves as a patriotic education base.

The Hemudu Site Museum is situated in Langshuqiao Village, Hemudu Town, Yuyao City, Zhejiang Province, about 25 kilometers from Yuyao. The museum’s name was inscribed by the President of China. It is a heritage museum constructed in May 1993 to study and preserve the culture of the Hemudu Site. The Hemudu Site is the earliest Neolithic site on China's southeastern coast and features distinct characteristics of the Jiangnan water town region.

The Hemudu Site was discovered in 1973, covering a total area of 40,000 square meters with four superimposed cultural layers. Dating indicates that the lowest layer is 7,000 years old. Through two scientific excavations in 1973 and 1977, nearly 7,000 artifacts were unearthed, including production tools, household items, decorative crafts, cultivated rice remains, stilt-house construction components, as well as animal and plant remains made from bone, pottery, jade, wood, and other materials. These relics comprehensively reflect the prosperity of China’s matrilineal clan society during the primitive era.

The excavation of the Hemudu Site has provided extremely valuable physical evidence for the study of agriculture, architecture, textiles, art, and other aspects of ancient Eastern civilization. It stands as one of the most important archaeological discoveries since the founding of the People's Republic of China. Artifacts from the Hemudu Site have been exhibited abroad multiple times, captivating audiences around the world.

The Hemudu Site Museum covers an area of 60 acres and consists of two main parts: the cultural relics exhibition hall and the onsite site display area. The cultural relics exhibition hall is located adjacent to the west side of the site, covering an area of 16,000 square meters, with a main building area of 3,200 square meters. It comprises six structures connected by corridors. The architectural design draws inspiration from the 7,000-year-old “stilt-style” buildings of Hemudu, characterized by “long ridges, short eaves, and high beds.” The structure features an elevated platform above ground level, with a gabled roof adorned with 5–7 sets of interlocking components symbolizing the mortise-and-tenon woodworking techniques of 7,000 years ago. The earth-red corrugated ceramic tiles and beige textured wall bricks add an antique, rustic charm that blends seamlessly with Hemudu culture. The roof of the lobby is designed in the shape of a soaring Kunpeng, reflecting the ancient Hemudu people’s cultural reverence for birds.

Further Reading:

· National Second-Class Museum of China