Last week, Professor Tang Jigen from the Center for Social Sciences at Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) taught Grade 7 students from the 2nd Experimental Primary School of SUSTech a course in “Science and Technology in Archaeology.”
Professor Tang Jigen talked about the restorative progress used in archaeological research, by showing what was done in restoring the Turquoise Animal Face from the Panlongcheng Site in Wuhan. They used various technical methods like super-field depth microscope, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and thermal cracking. He also explained how gas chromatography mass spectrometry, 3D laser modeling and other such processes are used to solve archaeological problems. The students asked many questions and looked at the raw turquoise materials used in the study.
After the lecture, Professor Tang Jigen took the students to examine the Shang Dynasty chariot, and explained the process of excavating the chariot. By interpreting the archaeological excavation process and analyzing the skeleton of animals and human beings, Professor Tang Jigen was able to introduce the spatial layout of the water network of Yinxu Road Network and related oracle bone inscriptions. He also presented the cultural value and historical significance of the chariot to the Shang Dynasty.
The students also visited the cultural heritage laboratory and the bronze exhibition.
The Second Experimental Primary School of SUSTech was founded in September 2015. At present, there are 30 classes in the first grade of primary school to the second grade of junior high school.
