When we were children, we all asked our grandparents what their parents looked like and if there were any pictures of them at home. Today, I want to tell the story of a special ancestor. This ancestor is extraordinary, she is the ancestor of China 3,800 years ago! However, don't think that we are just a text description, the experts are not simple, they used skull reconstruction technology to present the true appearance of this ancestor! Look, that's what she looks like!
01 In the Dongxiafeng site in Xia County, Shanxi, thousands of years have carved the mark of history. In March this year, when the archaeological team was excavating, they accidentally found several human remains. These bones seem to travel through time and space, telling ancient stories. One of the female bones aroused the interest of the researchers, as if she were telling an ancient legend. The first public large-scale documentary "Searching for Ancient China, Searching for Xia" revealed: Scientists' test results on the DNA of Xia people's bones show that Xia people are highly similar to modern Chinese, with an approximation of more than 90%. This means that the Xia people 3,800 years ago were our ancestors.
02 In order to restore the appearance of this female ancestor, scientists decided to use advanced technology. First, they extracted the tooth from the bones because the tooth is rich in genetic information. Through multiple experiments and technical optimization, they were able to extract the complete DNA fragment, which was a crucial step in the recovery! Then, using advanced imaging technology and computer software, scientists combined bone features and genetic information to gradually reconstruct the appearance of the female ancestor. They measured and analysed the bones in detail, determining the proportions of the facial bone structure and features. At the same time, the restoration results were fine-tuned with reference to the cultural and aesthetic standards of the time. In the end, the restored image shows the beauty of the Chinese ancestor, with fair skin, thick eyebrows, crystal eyes, and beautiful lips. Experts believe that her hair should be black or dark brown, straight and smooth, and very beautiful. Looking at the face of this ancestor, we seem to feel her life and emotions, as well as her attitude towards the world. Her appearance bears many similarities with the modern Chinese ethnic group, which reminds us of the long history and profound cultural heritage of the Chinese nation. It makes it seem as if we can travel back in time and have a conversation with this distant ancestor.
03 Through the study and analysis of these bones, we not only have a deeper understanding of the life and culture of the Xia Dynasty, but also discover some interesting genetic and physical characteristics. This discovery gives us a new perspective on ancient societies and cultures, and it also makes us more respectful of the role of technology in historical research. The show uses the latest technology, such as "XR" and large-scale 3D scanning, to produce more vivid and realistic images. They also restored the scene of Dayu's water control and the palace city of Erlitou ruins, showing the magnificent scene of ancient Chinese civilization. The combination of these technologies and research results not only helps us better understand ancient Chinese civilization, but also gives us the opportunity to have a dialogue with history.