"We should attach more importance to and put more efforts on archaeological research to carry forward the project of tracing the origins of Chinese civilization," stressed Chinese President Xi Jinping during his recent inspection tour to Anyang city, Henan province. Henan, cradle of the Chinese nation and civilization, is not only the birthplace of modern Chinese archaeology, but also the core area for tracing the origins of Chinese civilization. Together with the Development and Reform Commission of Henan Province and the Administration of Cultural Heritage of Henan Province, we are launching the "Towards Civilization" bilingual series featuring 13 key archaeological sites in Henan to help you catch a glimpse of wonderful Henan and brilliant Chinese civilization. Here is the last episode of the series: Dongjing: An international metropolitan city during the Middle Ages.
近日，习近平总书记考察了殷墟遗址，提出考古工作要继续重视和加强，继续深化中华文明探源工程。河南是中华民族和中华文明的重要发祥地，中国现代考古学从河南起步，中华文明探源从河南开始。2022年11月5日起，大河网联合省发展改革委、省文物局推出《追寻文明的足迹》系列报道，一起走进厚重河南。今日推出最后一期：《中世纪风华绝代的国际大都会——北宋东京城遗址》。
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Kaifeng is not only one of the eight ancient capitals in Chinese history, but also among the first 24 national historical and cultural cities proved by the State Council. With an area of about 53 square kilometers, the ruins of Dongjing, capital of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), are buried 2 to 8 meters underground in present-day Kaifeng and used to be divided into an outer city, an inner city and an imperial city. The imperial palace is located in the center with a design of axial symmetry. In 1988, the site of Dongjing in the Northern Song Dynasty was listed as a national key cultural relics protection unit.
开封是八大古都之一，也是国务院首批颁布的24座国家级历史文化名城之一。北宋东京遗址位于今开封地下2—8米深，分外城、内城、皇城三道城墙，总占地面积约53 平方公里。外城、内城、皇城城城相套，皇宫居中，中轴对称。1988年，北宋东京城遗址被列为全国重点文物保护单位。
Ruins of Zhouqiao Bridge. [Photo provided to dahe.cn]
Containing many ancient Chinese urban planning ideas, Dongjing's layout has a profound influence on many other ancient Chinese cities. Besides, Dongjing was a typical canal city at that time whose water transport system was carefully planned. By witnessing the prosperity of the Chinese nation from the 10th to 12th century, Dongjing plays a prominent role in the cultural system of Central Plains and has a significant impact on the civilization of China and the world.
北宋东京城整体格局中包含了诸多中国古代城市规划模式，对中国诸多古代城市规划产生过深远影响。北宋东京城将国家漕运系统与城市布局进行了密切结合，是中国古代运河城镇的杰出代表。北宋东京城遗址作为开封最具代表性的城址遗址，是中华民族10—12世纪举国昌盛的珍贵物证，其遗产价值在中原文化体系中具有相当突出的地位，在中华文明史和世界文明史上具有显著影响。
Ruins of Zhouqiao Bridge. [Photo provided to dahe.cn]
Many sites have been excavated since 1981, including city walls, gates, Zhouqiao Bridge, courses of Bianhe River and Caihe River, Imperial Street, etc. A large number of cultural relics have been discovered, showing a comprehensive picture of the Northern Song Dynasty.
自1981年以来，相继调查、勘探、发掘了北宋东京城墙及城门遗址、古州桥、汴河、蔡河、御街、金明池等大批重要的北宋东京城文化遗址。其中宋皇宫遗址、北宋东京城外城西墙顺天门遗址、州桥及附近汴河遗址、小宋城二期汴河遗址、清明上河园三期宋金遗址等，发现了丰富的文化遗迹，出土了大量珍贵的文物，体现了北宋时期的文化面貌。（编译/赵汉青 播音/杨佳欣 视频/何蒙贺 审校/陈行洁）
