New documentary on early Chinese civilization begins airing

China Before China, an eight-episode documentary that tells stories of the origins and early development of Chinese civilization based on key archaeological findings, will begin airing on Dragon TV Saturday night.

It will also be launched on streaming platforms BesTV, iQiyi, Tencent Video, Youku and Bilibili.

The documentary, applying a flashback narration, starts from the Qin (221-206 BC) and Han (206 BC-AD 220) dynasties and then traces backward key points at the dawn of Chinese civilization.

It also features how distinctive regional civilizations interacted and formed a pluralistic and integrated Chinese civilization and the thoughts and values hidden behind the archaeological sites and cultural relics.

The crew filmed around 230 domestic sites and museums, including those that evidenced the Hongshan, Liangzhu, Erlitou and Sanxingdui cultures, and consulted an expert team of more than 100 on knowledge about the Neolithic period and the time from the Xia (c.21st century-16th century BC) to the Qin and Han dynasties.

Gan Chao, the documentary's chief director, said the work, based on archaeological findings and unearthed relics, has restored the scenes and rituals of jade, pottery and bronze ware being used in ancient times and made people from all walks of life and at different social ladders visible.

Zhao Hui, a professor at Peking University's School of Archaeology and Museology and who joined the pre-review of the documentary, said the overall narration of the work remains clear, logical and accurately conveys the sites and relics.

"It vividly illustrates the process of historical development, which is the ultimate goal of historical research and archaeological exploration," he added.