Shanxi museum unveils rare bronze relics

Yi Fang Yi, another wine vessel with a handle, which is rare, also from the Western Zhou era. [Photo by Sun Ruisheng/China Daily]

Liu Xu, a professor of archaeology at Peking University, says the Shanxi police crackdown on crime pertaining to cultural relics is not undertaken on a case-by-case basis, but focuses on the whole illegal chain, from tomb raiders to the sellers, and is proving to be very efficient.

Ning Lixin, a coordinator of the founding of the museum and an inspector of the Shanxi cultural relics bureau, says the retrieved treasures not only show the achievements of police, but also promoted the construction and opening of the museum.

After visiting the museum, Li Feng, an archaeologist and a researcher of bronzeware at Jilin University, spoke highly of the exhibits, noting that they are of great historical value. He suggests that Shanxi has the potential to become a national center for the collection, protection and research of Chinese bronzeware.