Salawusu site thrives in new era

An exhibition center for the Salawusu site. [Photo/Uxin Banner]

The archaeological excavation of the Salawusu site is underway, and the city of Ordos has found a way to protect and preserve it while promoting its further use.

The site, located in Uxin Banner of Ordos city, is the repository of one of the first-discovered Paleolithic human remains in China featuring reliable stratigraphy and chronology.

In 2001, it was declared a national key cultural heritage site by the State Council.

In 2006, an international academic symposium was held on the Salawusu site in Ordos, attracting over 100 experts and scholars from more than 40 countries to discuss topics such as its stratigraphy, chronology, the environment, and the physical characteristics of the "Ordos Tooth".

In 2018, the Conference on 95th Anniversary of Discovery of "Ordos Tooth" was held in Uxin Banner and the "Salawusu Consensus" was reached. This stated that the site is an ancient relay station in the long history of the Chinese nation and was an important place for human evolution in East Asia.

In 2022, Uxin Banner merged the Salawusu Wetland Park and the Salawusu Archaeological Site Park to establish the Wuding River Basin Comprehensive Management and Development Center, as well as the Salawusu Ordos Tooth Culture Research Center.

The upcoming Conference on the 100th Anniversary of Discovery of the "Ordos Tooth" is not only an opportunity to showcase the Salawusu site to the world but will also serve as a profound exploration of Chinese culture and human civilization.

So, how can the Salawusu site thrive in the new era? The governments of Ordos city and Uxin Banner have leveraged its scenic beauty and rich culture to create an inspiring destination.

They have developed the Salawusu Cultural Scenic Spot and hiking routes in the Salawusu Desert Grand Canyon, combining ecology, culture, tourism, and agriculture along the Salawusu River. The authorities have also built protective and experiential shelters for archaeological purposes.

Meanwhile, Uxin Banner has introduced different cultural and creative products based on the representative "Ordos Tooth" and the animals found at the Salawusu site, such as the Hetao giant deer and the woolly rhinoceros. They have actively built brand stories to expand the influence and coverage of the site.