In Suixi County, Huaibei City, Anhui Province, the Liuzi Canal Site confirms the exact direction of the Tongji Canal of the Grand Canal, marking a significant achievement in Chinese canal archaeology. It has been listed as a World Heritage site. On June 26, the "Exploring Anhui along China's Grand Canal" series of online dissemination activities reached the construction site of the permanent protection shed project for the Liuzi Canal Site, exploring how the ancient charm of the canal is being revitalized.

The Liuzi Canal Site is part of the ancient route of the Tongji Canal from the Grand Canal. Archaeological excavations in 1999 and 2012 revealed important relics from the Tang and Song Dynasties, including river channels, embankments, stone bridge piers, and roads. Nine wooden shipwrecks and a large number of ceramics, bone and horn artifacts, stone anchors, copper coins, and other significant artifacts were unearthed, filling many gaps in canal archaeology. Among these, the stone bridge piers were the first such discovery in the Grand Canal's architectural sites, and finding so many shipwrecks within the canal was unprecedented. The exquisite ceramics from over 20 kilns spanning three dynasties (Sui, Tang, and Song) are particularly precious.

"In order to protect and inherit the cultural heritage of the Grand Canal and promote the excellent traditional Chinese culture, Suixi County launched the permanent protection shed project for the Liuzi Canal Site in 2023," introduced Xu Zhongqiu, a staff member of the Suixi County Cultural Heritage Protection Center. The project, with a total investment of 135 million yuan, aims to build a 10,000-square-meter permanent, enclosed protection shed in the Liuzi Canal Site area. This will improve the existing protection facilities of the Liuzi Canal Site, primarily for displaying the Grand Canal site and promoting the culture of the Sui-Tang canals, providing a space for the protection and exhibition of the Liuzi Site's culture.

The permanent protection shed project for the Liuzi Canal Site is a multi-story building with two floors above ground. The first floor above ground is an enclosed structure protecting the site pit, and the second floor above ground is an exhibition museum. The steel structure engineering and other works are nearing completion, with the project expected to be completed by the end of this year and open to the public in May 2025.

Xu Zhongqiu revealed that after the completion of the shed project, plans will include the construction of a site museum, an archaeological simulation experience center, and other projects. Advanced technologies such as sound, light, electricity, and 5G will be used for the on-site exhibition design. Additionally, sculptures related to canal history will be designed to help visitors better understand the historical origins of the site wharf, systematically display the canal's structure, changes in the river channel, and other archaeological excavation results, thereby enhancing the influence and vitality of canal culture.

Source: anhuinews.com