Chinese civilisation is ancient, profound, and enduring, standing as the the world's longest continuous civilisation. In 2002, the country launched the “Project to Trace the Origins of Chinese Civilisation” (the Project), which has yielded remarkable results over the past two decades, mapping out the historical trajectory of the origins of Chinese civilisation. The Project, through archaeological surveys and studies, has showcased the tangible continuity of the civilisation and the diversity of its origins. It reveals how different regions and cultures interacted with one another, and eventually merged into a cohesive whole, forming the “diversity in unity” developmental pattern of the Chinese people.

This exhibition features the excavates of the Project as well as important archaeological discoveries in the centennial modern Chinese archaeology. Over one hundred exhibits come from fourteen archaeological institutions and museums in the Mainland and Hong Kong, covering nine archaeological cultures and nine major archaeological sites. It is one of the most comprehensive exhibitions in recent years dedicated to exploring the origins and achievements of Chinese civilisation.

The exhibition is jointly organised by the HKPM and Art Exhibitions China, and sponsored by Bank of China (Hong Kong), the Museum’s strategic partner.