BERLIN, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Standing before a glass showcase at the Chinese Cultural Center in Berlin, a local resident who just called herself Svetlana explored ancient Chinese artifacts with the help of smart glasses that provided AI-powered bilingual explanations.
The technology offered visitors a new way to engage with the Liangzhu civilization, one of the earliest known centers of Chinese civilization, as the "Hello Liangzhu" exhibition opened in the German capital on Monday.
"I have always been fascinated by Chinese culture," Svetlana said. "This exhibition gave me a much more vivid and tangible understanding of Liangzhu and the roots of Chinese civilization."
First discovered in 1936 in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, China's longest river, the Liangzhu ruins were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2019. To date, more than 350 Liangzhu culture sites have been discovered, providing important evidence of a Chinese civilization dating back more than 5,000 years.
For Maurice Mengel, head of department at the Ethnological Museum of Berlin, the Liangzhu civilization offers insight into human settlement, rice cultivation and the development of early urban society.
"The archaeological discoveries at Liangzhu and its status as a world heritage site reflect humanity's ongoing efforts to explore and better understand the past," he said.
The exhibition, which runs through July 8 and is open to the public free of charge, is divided into three sections: Tracing Liangzhu, Rituals Embodied in Jade and Cultural Legacy through the Ages. Through archaeological records, digital displays and replicas of artifacts, it introduces visitors to the development, cultural significance and lasting influence of the Liangzhu civilization.
Among the exhibits is the Jade Cong, a ritual object featuring a square outer form and a circular inner tube. Its distinctive design and craftsmanship have made it one of the most well-known emblems of Liangzhu's jade culture.
In a video message, Xu Tianjin, director of the Liangzhu Museum, said the exhibition highlights Liangzhu's achievements in urban planning, water management, social development and spiritual life through replicas of cultural relics, archaeological discoveries and digital images.
According to Xu, cultural heritage can help strengthen exchanges among civilizations, and the exhibition can promote cultural, archaeological and academic cooperation between China and Germany, as well as between China and Europe.
