The Mystery of the Three Gorges: A Documentary on the Great Archaeological Excavations of the Three Gorges

Author: Meng Heping / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-03-01
Features: However, although he crossed the river with ease, Zou Huxi suffered from diarrhea the next day after wading through the icy water. The Big Creek River is unpredictable, and so is the weather. At night, when it rained and windy, Bai Jiujiang and his three companions would each wear a straw hat and play poker by the kerosene lamp. Not far from where Bai Jiujiang and his group stayed, there lived an elderly widow, about 85 years old. Her small room contained only a bed, a water jar, a pot, and a stove. She cooked meals by herself every day. She had adopted a foster son who fetched water for her once every half month. Bai Jiujiang and his group found her pitiful and often sent her some food. The old woman was still quite clear-headed. When asked about her life story, she recounted everything in detail. She had borne 13 children in her lifetime, but none of them grew up. They all died before reaching adulthood—some drowned in the river, and others were eaten by wolves on the mountain. Almost all of her misfortunes were caused by the harsh environment. Sometimes, Bai Jiujiang thought, this place had a slightly eerie vibe.
During the daytime, the exploration mainly involved record-keeping and analysis, which wasn’t too busy, and they still had time to climb the mountain to enjoy the scenery. The Big Creek Cultural Site is located at the foot of Shengjia Mountain, which is a branch of the Qiyao Mountain range. Climbing up from Shengjia Mountain, one could reach Qiyao Mountain, the towering peak called Wuyunding that dominates both banks of the. Tong Enzheng’s academic article "On the Bar People’s Artifacts Discovered in the Guojia Cave of the" mentioned the Guojia Cave, located halfway up the cliff walls of the. In his book "Mystery of the Ancient Gorge," he wrote that an old man led him through the back of the mountain to find the exit of an ancient cave in the gorge. He suspected it was either a local farmer who guided him or told him about it. Thus, Bai Jiujiang and Xu Jing decided to find this mysterious mountain path and the hidden cave entrance leading to the gorge. Later, many members of archaeological teams had also walked this route, confirming that the ruins by the river could indeed lead to the towering mountains of the. At the time, Bai Jiujiang and Xu Jing had originally planned to explore the ancient mysteries, but halfway up the mountain, they were captivated by the beautiful scenery.
May was a season of blooming flowers. The entire mountain was covered in bright red wild roses, also known as the "Ten Sisters Flower," which contrasted beautifully with the snow-white local thornberries called "Sugar Jars." There were also various small yellow and purple flowers, making the scene breathtaking and lifting their spirits. With a cheerful mood, the hardships of the environment became less noticeable. Standing higher, their minds also became broader. Bai Jiujiang gazed at the towering peaks and mountains, pondering a question: For the ancients, was this survival environment good or bad? If it was bad, why did they choose to settle here? If it was good, what made this place, with its steep slopes and sheer cliffs, so appealing?
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