Cross-Straits scholars recently convened in Pingtan, an island off the coast of Fujian province and the closest point on the mainland to the island of Taiwan, to delve into Austronesian origins. Pingtan is a comprehensive pilot zone focused on cross-Straits integration, a key area for international trade and logistics, and China's second international tourism island after Hainan.

As a potential cradle of the Austronesian peoples, Pingtan, a site of major significance, recently hosted an impactful archaeological dialogue. This event brought together experts from both sides of the Taiwan Straits at the Keqiutou Site Museum to explore the mysteries of Austronesian civilization.

At the museum, scholars from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan meticulously compared prehistoric artifacts. Xiong Zhongqing, associate professor at Taiwan Cheng Kung University's Institute of Archaeology, and Fan Xuechun, president of the Pingtan International Austronesian Research Institute, engaged in an in-depth discussion regarding archaeological finds such as shell impressions and incised patterns.

They highlighted that similar cultural imprints have been discovered at sites like Fuguo Dun and Jinguishan in Kinmen, as well as the Dapenkeng and Zhishanyan sites on Taiwan Island. These cross-Straits cultural similarities strongly corroborate the close exchanges and connections between ancient inhabitants on both sides of the Straits during prehistoric times.

Fan Xuechun articulated a common aspiration among archaeologists, stating, "As frontline archaeologists, we aim to leverage our expertise to uncover millennia-old cultural heritage and interpret it through archaeology, making it accessible to the public." 

The Pingtan Keqiutou Site Cluster has undergone over 60 years of excavation and preservation. The Keqiutou Site Museum officially opened to the public last December, housing artifacts that resonate deeply with scholars from both sides of the Straits. Among them, a pale-green jade jue made from exotic jade stone particularly stands out. This artifact vividly chronicles the material exchange between land and islands during prehistory, serving as tangible evidence of frequent interaction among ancient peoples across the Taiwan Straits and surrounding islands.

Following his visit, Yang Suisheng, a Taiwan compatriot, remarked that by identifying similar cultural elements and tracing their origins, they are finding increasing evidence of frequent interactions across the Straits in prehistoric times. He stated, "This basically indicates that the population in Taiwan came from the mainland."

During the Austronesian Culture Academic Forum, scholars from both sides reached an important consensus: they will further strengthen cooperation in archaeological excavation, academic research, and cultural heritage preservation. This collaborative effort aims to elevate Pingtan's standing as a crucial "origin place" of the Austronesian peoples. 

Huang Hao, also a Taiwan compatriot, commented, "We are all doing more excavation work to explore the Austronesian peoples, hoping to prove some important connections. If we can better substantiate the origins of the Austronesian peoples, it will be a very meaningful endeavor."

Currently, Pingtan is actively advancing the construction of a National Archaeological Site Park. In the future, an archaeological corridor connecting multiple prehistoric sites will comprehensively present this ancient civilization's story, one that spans the Straits and links to the wider ocean, allowing the echoes of history from thousands of years ago to continue to resonate. 

Fan Xuechun noted, "In Pingtan, we have established a complete prehistoric archaeological culture sequence spanning from 7,500 to 3,000 years ago. Utilizing the Keqiutou platform, we will systematically display and interpret the archaeological findings of the prehistoric site cluster in the Pingtan area. This holds important significance for studying the historical connections of prehistoric cultures across the Taiwan Straits, especially the major topic of 'the origin and dispersal of the Austronesian peoples'."