Eternal Three Gorges (Cultural Relic Century Grand Rescue)

Author: Wang Fengzhu, Yu Xiyun
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-09-01
Features: The Three Gorges is a natural, harmonious landscape gifted by nature, as well as a place with a rich historical and cultural heritage. With the construction of the Three Gorges Dam, the magnificent and picturesque scenery, as well as the diverse cultural landscapes of the Three Gorges, will be submerged in the slowly rising Yangtze River. To rescue and protect the historical and cultural treasures along the banks of the Xiajiang, the state has invested a significant amount of funds and manpower, launching the Three Gorges Cultural Relics Protection Project, a monumental effort on par with the Three Gorges Dam itself. Wang Fengzhu and Yu Xiyun's co-authored book, The Eternal Three Gorges: A Century of Cultural Relics Rescue, comprehensively reflects the basic conditions of the protection and rescue of cultural relics and landscapes in the Three Gorges region since the 1990s. Through text and images, it preserves the historical and cultural information stored in the Three Gorges for millennia, ensuring that the Three Gorges remain eternal.
First and foremost, the book demonstrates a profound humanistic spirit and social responsibility. Some cultural landscapes along the banks of the Xiajiang are treasures of Chinese civilization, showcasing the creative power of the Chinese people and representing irreplaceable resources. Here, one can find the origins, roots, foundations, and belonging of culture. Certain historical sites and artifacts have even become eternal symbols of lofty, great, or sacred things (e.g., Qu Yuan and patriotism), embodying a shared, long-standing cultural sense of belonging and reverence among the Chinese people. The authors speak for the Three Gorges with a deep sense of historical responsibility, the keen insight of a writer, the conscience of a historian, and the identity of a cultural protector and rescuer. Through detailed historical records and abundant primary sources, they present significant discoveries in the Three Gorges cultural relics rescue project, solve mysteries and puzzles, uncover forgotten histories, trace origins, and address major questions in history and archaeology, providing strong theoretical and historical support for further research. They also offer convincing perspectives, leaving readers with ample space for reflection and inspiration.
For example, in the article The Cultural of Laoguanmiao, the authors first introduce some archaeological findings, then compare them with the contemporaneous remains on Zhongbao Island in terms of the variety, shape, and geographical distribution of artifacts, and finally draw the conclusion: "These two cultures, apart from inheriting some early cultural factors, show little influence from the Central Plains or surrounding regions, suggesting that the Later Zhou Dynasty had already lost control over the Three Gorges area." The text in the book is objective and straightforward, precise and clear; when describing, the writing is brilliant and exquisite; when explaining, the insights are profound and penetrating. The deep historical context, on-site records of excavation and protection, and the expertise of scholars blend with the literary charm and refined interests of the authors. The interplay of emotional insights triggered by the scenery, comprehensive and insightful explanations, and the connection between history and reality create a dynamic dialogue between the Three Gorges and world civilizations. The text and images in the book draw readers through history and reality, breaking through historical gaps to reflect on the development of human civilization as a whole. The artistic ambition of the book constructs a vast aesthetic space.
The profound cultural heritage of the Three Gorges and the authors' scholarly expertise combine to create a model suitable for reading, reflection, and reference. Its even greater significance lies in the fact that the cultural relics of the Three Gorges have not historically "disappeared" with the 135-meter water level rise but have instead persisted in a deeper form, extending into the future with a new identity and exerting a profound influence on later generations. While providing historical materials, the book also stimulates our nostalgia and imagination for the Three Gorges submerged by the waters and fuels our more fervent expectations for its future. It implicitly opens up possibilities for exploration in both literature and history. Through this, we also gain insight into the authors' deep reflections on historical sites and their humanistic perspective, as well as their strong sense of social responsibility and historical and modern awareness.
The richness of the text and the authority of the sources are also commendable. The authors selected several entry points, offering both panoramic scans (e.g., Volume) and focused perspectives, covering everything from ancient times to the present. The content touches on politics, economy, literature, religion, art, history, geography, hydrology, archaeology, folklore, and transportation. It is almost a summary of the historical development of the Three Gorges region over thousands of years, a bird's-eye view and a deep reflection. The authors, with their extensive knowledge spanning ancient and modern times, meticulously gather and sift through information, thoroughly organizing and enriching the understanding of Three Gorges cultural relics. They consult and verify existing materials, discerning truth from falsehood, exploring and reflecting from the singular to the holistic, from the partial to the comprehensive, from the perceptual to the rational, and from the historical dynamics reflected in the relics to new sustainable approaches such as rescue excavations, restoration, and relocation. This powerfully expands the rich connotations of cultural ecology construction.
In chapters like The Three Arches of Zhongzhou Through Millennia and The Timeless Qu Yuan Temple, the sources are abundant and the textual research meticulous, demonstrating the authors' strong skills in literature verification. The authors also clearly outline the evolution of relics such as the Arches and Qu Yuan Temple, as well as customs like the Dragon Boat Festival, revealing their underlying cultural significance.
Each article in the third volume of the book is titled with seven characters, creating a cohesive and powerful flow. For instance, the numerous photographs of cultural relics and inscriptions are outstanding, representing the ingenious creations of the Chinese people and enduring treasures of immense value.
In summary, the two authors, with their unique perspectives, cautious and meticulous approach, and grand vision, have woven a magnificent cultural landscape. The book is meticulously planned, designed with elegance and depth, and printed with exceptional quality. The planner, Mr. Lai Bingwei, strives to assert his individuality in the vast sea of books, constantly exploring new topics and often drawing attention with his originality. The joint efforts of the publishing house staff and the authors have ensured a rigorous and reliable text, with flowing prose and exquisite images that vividly showcase the essence of the Three Gorges. The book not only facilitates reading, appreciation, and research but also expands our visual and psychological horizons. It is both practical and collectible, with a unique charm and cultural positioning, offering readers a high-quality spiritual feast.
Through authoritative sources and a combination of text and images, the book comprehensively reflects the basic conditions of the protection and rescue of cultural relics and landscapes in the Three Gorges region since the 1990s. It explores the ancient civilization of the Three Gorges through underground archaeological findings and introduces the history, geography, politics, economy, transportation, and folk customs of ancient times through surface artifacts, presenting readers with the beautiful scenery and brilliant historical culture of the Three Gorges.