He Zun bronze ware: Discovering the origins of 'China'

2025-08-13 15:59:06 , Source : People's Daily

A 3,000-year-old bronze vessel from the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046-771 BC) holds what scholars say is the earliest known written record of the term "Zhongguo," the Chinese characters for "China." Known as He Zun, the artifact is a national treasure that cannot be exhibited abroad. The name derives from the surname He, the owner, and Zun, a specific type of bronze vessel used for storing wine in ceremonial rituals. Unearthed by a farmer in 1963, He Zun is on display at the Baoji Bronze Ware Museum, Baoji, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province. It serves as a profound symbol of identity, pride, and the enduring spirit of Chinese civilization. This AI-animated video tells its story.

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