An international forum regarding the Discovery & Protection of Early Capital City Civilization and Forty Years of Excavation & Research of Taosi ruins opened in Linfen city, Shanxi province, on Sept 14.

The forum, sponsored by the Institute of Archaeology at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, China Archeological Society, Shanxi Culture Relics Bureau, and Linfen municipal government invited nearly 100 archeology experts and academics.

The four-day forum included an opening ceremony, lectures by experts, field work, and a summit on the protection and development of sites that once served as capital cities.

Covering about 2.8 million square meters in Linfen city, the Taosi ruins have a history dating back 4,100 to 4,300 years and once served as the capital city for emperor Yao (c.24th-23rd century BC). The ruins were discovered in 1958.

Archaeologists have been researching the site since 1978 and studies have indicated the existence of a civilized and hierarchical society with fortifications, residential areas, and mausoleums. The site is so far the oldest capital city discovered in China, according to Wang Wei, president of China Archeological Society.

As a major event of this year's Shanxi Tourism Development Conference, the forum was aimed at promoting the protection and development of historical relics, such as the Taosi ruins, and Linfen city's image as a cradle of Chinese civilization, as well as boosting local culture and tourism, said Liu Yuqiang, mayor of Linfen city.

Attendees of the International forum of Discovery & Protection of Early Capital City Civilization and Forty Years of Excavation & Research of Taosi ruins pose for a group photo, Sept 14. [Photo/sxgov.cn]

He Nu, a researcher of the Institute of Archaeology at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, gives details of excavation projects at the Taosi historical site in Linfen city, Shanxi province, during the forum, Sept 14. [Photo/Xinhua]