(I) Su Bingqi (1909-1997), a fellow of the Institute of Archaeology of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, one of the originators of Chinese archaeology education, former Chairman of the Archaeological Society of China.

“The ancient Hangzhou lies here,” Su foresaw the values of Liangzhu historical site as early as 1977, “Liangzhu culture is a social entity shining gloriously in the ancient cultural evolution history of China.”

(II) Zhang Zhongpei (1934-2017), founded the archaeology major of Jilin University, also served as the Chief Curator of the Palace Museum of Beijing and Chairman of the Archaeology Society of China. Zhang was a member of the Expert Consultation Committee for the Protection of Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City.

In the mid-1990s, he argued that the social development status of Liangzhu Culture had reached a stage of civilization. Later he pointed out that Liangzhu civilization was a state of supreme being founded on theocracy and military power. He wrote an inscription of “The First City of China” for Liangzhu Ancient City.

(III) Yan Wenming (1932- ) was the Director of the Department of Archaeology of Peking University and Vice Chairman of the Archaeology Society of China. Prof. Yan is a member of the Expert Consultation Committee for the Protection of Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City.

He argued that the discovery of Liangzhu Ancient City signified that the period of Liangzhu Culture already ushered in a mature evolution stage of prehistoric civilization. Also, he believed that Liangzhu civilization was a monarchical country in a broad sense, etc.

(IV) Zhao Hui, a chief expert with the project aimed at tracing the origins of Chinese civilization and a professor of Peking University, pointed out during the Press Conference on Comprehensive Research Findings of Origins and Early Development of Chinese Civilization held by the State Council Information Office on May 28, 2018, “It can be confirmed or judged that 5,000 years ago, represented by Liangzhu Culture and Liangzhu Civilization, some regions in the scope of the Yellow River and Yangtze River basins already entered a stage of civilization and established their own state. During the 1,000-odd years from that time as a start to about 3,800 years from now, the societies of other regions established a state and entered a civilization.”

(V) Liu Bin, the Director of Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Archaeology. After many years of archaeological exploration, Liangzhu Civilization has been recognized by the world’s archaeological community and is strong evidence of the five-thousand civilization of China.

(Executive Editor: Yongliu He)