Located at the lower reaches of Yellow River, Shandong is one of the important birthplaces of Chinese civilisation. Since ancient times, people have been living in this region, which has generous rivers and access to the sea, mountains and forests, and an abundance of salt and iron reserves. Through exploration and creativity, Haidai Culture (the ancient cultural system of the Bohai and Yellow Seas, Mount Tai (Dai), and the lower reaches of the former course of the Huai River) and the Qilu civilisation were created.

Beginning from the Neolithic period, Shandong gradually nurtured the unique and charming Haidai Culture. From the Dawenkou Culture (c. 6,000 to 4,400 years ago) to the Longshan Culture (c. 4,400 to 3,800 years ago), jade ware and pottery ware went through a long journey of development, gradually escalating to become symbols of power and rank. In Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties, ritual jade and pottery evolved into ritual bronze ware, which became a symbol of the state’s political power. At the beginning of Western Zhou dynasty, Duke of Zhou founded a system of etiquette and music, and enfeoffed various vassal states. Ranking first among the vassal states, Lu State in Shandong was granted to Duke of Zhou; thus Zhou Culture was preserved, inherited and passed down in Shandong. Jiang Ziya was enfeoffed in Qi State in Shandong. Capturing the abundant coastal resources via fishery and salt production, the economy of Qi State was vigorously developed, and Qi State became a major state in the east. The archaeological finds of Shandong reflect the profound rites and music elements of the Qilu civilisation.

This exhibition features 60 pieces (sets) of fine artefacts from Shandong, displayed in Hong Kong for the first time, including jade and stone wares, pottery ware, bronze ware and primitive musical instruments, representing the development in Shandong from the Neolithic period to Ming dynasty. Important cultural relics from Hong Kong are also exhibited for comparison to reflect the pluralistic integration of Chinese civilisation.