![Aerial view of the Tonglushan Ancient Copper Mine Site [Photo/provided to chinaservicesinfo.com]](https://thesanghakommune.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/image-15.png?w=600&h=280&crop=1)
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.”
