Chapter 535
It was a sunny Friday morning.
After three days of adaptation, Su Miao finally attended his first class in college.
This "first lesson" was very special. It was not held on the podium, but unexpectedly arranged in a museum.
Upon hearing the news, Su Miao and his classmates were as excited as children about to embark on a fantasy adventure. They gathered at the school gate at the appointed time and boarded the bus.
The team was led by Professor Wen, the teacher of the history of archaeology, who also served as the class teacher. The class counselor also accompanied them.
Professor Wen is in his fifties, knowledgeable and humorous. Originally, he was not required to be a class teacher with his title, but he said he volunteered for the role, hoping that being around young people would make him younger.
On the way, he also sang English songs in the car, overturning the prejudice of some classmates that professors are all old pedants.
Unlike the usual visitors, they did not enter through the main gate, but went through another gate.
Entering from the backyard, you first walk through a high-ceiling hall.
Light slanted in through the high windows, and the air was filled with a faint smell of camphor and old paper, which made people unconsciously lighten their steps for fear of disturbing the tranquility and mystery.
At this time, there were already staff waiting for them.
After exchanging a few pleasantries with the staff, Professor Wen turned to face the students and said in a gentle but serious voice:
"Behind this door lie letters left to us by the ancients. Some have been studied to determine their past and present lives, while others hold history waiting to be deciphered.
I brought you here today to give you your first lesson in archaeology, so that you will learn to respect cultural relics and history."
The door slowly opened, and the moment Su Miao stepped into the exhibition hall, the light suddenly dimmed. She felt He Rong beside her unconsciously clutching her arm.
After a few seconds, their vision gradually adapted to the relatively dim environment. Under the soft and hidden light, the artifacts in the display cabinets, like sleeping elves, revealed their outlines and postures one by one.
He Rong breathed a sigh of relief and said softly, "It suddenly got dark when we came in. I could hardly see the road. Fortunately, there was a light inside."
Su Miao nodded and said, "Yes, every cultural relic has its own light."
Professor Wen led everyone to a display case of bronze artifacts, tapped the case with his finger, and said:
“Students, archaeology is not simply rote memorization.
The history of each stage is a closely connected chain that connects the past and the future, and every cultural relic is a faithful witness of the society at that time.
Our mission is to understand it, protect it and record it.
Okay, now, everyone, take a closer look at this bronze tripod."
The students gathered around and took turns observing.
The bronze tripod, illuminated by the light, exudes a deep green sheen, mottled rust, and a band-like pattern of Taotie on its neck. Although it has been eroded by thousands of years, it still exudes an ancient, solemn, and mysterious aura.
"Students, this Dayu Ding was cast in the Western Zhou Dynasty. It was unearthed more than a hundred years ago. After that, it was moved to many places and experienced a century of wind and rain before finally settling here.
Think back to the ancient history we learned in middle school and high school. How was that historical knowledge established and compiled? Was it simply based on word of mouth and incomplete history books?
For a moment, the exhibition hall was silent. Professor Wen encouraged:
"Speak boldly. There are no standard answers in academic discussions. Say whatever comes to your mind."
They were used to teachers and textbooks as authority, so they were a little overwhelmed when faced with such free and open questions.
Even if they have ideas in their minds, they dare not speak out easily because of many concerns. After all, in the previous learning model, speaking often requires repeated consideration.
Su Miao, who had been accustomed to the key of A major in his previous life, said softly:
“Most history books are written by the victors, so they are inevitably embellished and biased.
Ancient books that record the lives of scholars, farmers, merchants, and local customs and practices will also contain errors and omissions after thousands of years of circulation and copying.
At this time, if cultural relics from the corresponding period are unearthed to corroborate the recorded content, the accuracy can be improved."
Professor Wen's eyes lit up after hearing Su Miao's words. He asked, "Then how do you know what era this artifact is from?"
"Instead, we can use the written materials that have already been sorted out."
The professor clapped his hands and exclaimed, "Right! That's very well said. Written materials and cultural relics are like the two wheels of a car, neither of which can be missing. They support each other and complement each other."
In archaeological work, we often need to conduct in-depth research with a skeptical attitude, and a conclusion must be rigorously verified from all aspects!
Look at this bronze tripod. Through it we can understand the level of casting technology at that time. The patterns on it also reflect the social hierarchy and religious beliefs of the time.
Therefore, in archaeological excavations, the unearthed cultural relics can often reveal to us the political, economic and cultural conditions of an era.
These cultural relics may have gone through wars, migrations, or even been reused by people in different eras.
Our mission is to unravel every tiny trace of these relics, restore the historical truth, and touch upon the true life context of the ancients."
In the huge museum, Professor Wen led the students to walk slowly and visit each exhibition area in turn.
Everyone sometimes stopped to listen to the professor's explanation, and sometimes whispered to each other about their own views.
Time passed by quietly without us noticing, and the course was gradually coming to an end.
Professor Wen took the students to a huge ancient map. On the map, many important archaeological sites in the country were clearly marked. Each mark seemed to be telling a story buried deep in the years.
He said earnestly:
“Students, the significance of archaeology lies not only in discovering precious cultural relics, but also in restoring the truth of history and passing on human civilization through these physical materials.
The land beneath our feet carries thousands of years of history, and every archaeological excavation is a dialogue between us and the past.
I hope that in your future studies you will truly appreciate the charm and value of archaeology and contribute to the protection and inheritance of historical and cultural heritage."
When the students walked out of the museum, the midday sun shone on them unreservedly. The light was bright and warm, just like the passion and longing burning in their hearts at that moment.
When returning, Professor Wen specifically asked Su Miao's name, his eyes full of expectation and satisfaction.
He thought to himself: Great! Smart and courageous, and most importantly, he looks healthy! That unfinished field will now have someone to take over!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
