In the 21st century, China has once again emerged as a major industrial and technological power -- home to the world"s most comprehensive industrial systems and making rapid advances in areas ranging from new-energy vehicles and artificial intelligence to robotics, quantum technology, space exploration and marine science.

　　The Tonglushan site was discovered by chance during mining operations in 1973, and archaeological excavations found that mining and smelting activity there dates back at least to the early years of the Spring and Autumn Period (770 B.C.-476 B.C.).

　　"It confirms that China"s Bronze Age civilization followed a complete and independent course of development," Chen said. "Archaeological comparisons show that the copper used in the Bianzhong of Marquis Yi of Zeng, a famous set of bronze chime bells, as well as many other bronze artifacts, came from Tonglushan."

　　Excavations have found that the ancient mine shafts and tunnels at the site total more than 8,000 meters in length, and over 400,000 tonnes of smelting slag have been unearthed so far.

　　Researchers estimate that between 80,000 and 120,000 tonnes of crude copper were produced there over the centuries, enough to cast about 48,000 sets of bronze bells comparable in scale to those of Marquis Yi of Zeng, or a far larger number of ritual vessels and weapons.

　　People view an exhibit at the museum of the Tonglushan ancient copper mining site in Daye City of central China"s Hubei Province, Sept. 15, 2026. (Xinhua/Lu Jinbo)

　　"Bronze gave physical form to China"s long-standing ritual and musical traditions, its social hierarchy, its way of life, and indeed its pluralistic yet unified civilization," Chen said.

　　Ancient craftsmen at this location had already mastered sophisticated mining and smelting techniques.