Chinese archaeologists have discovered the ruins of the Jixia Academy, a place that attracted some of China’s greatest thinkers over 2,000 years ago.
This discovery comes after a five-year excavation effort.
Scientists utilized historical records and carbon dating methods before confirming that this site is the Jixia Academy.
Very little information about Jixia has been preserved, and there was no concrete evidence of its existence until the excavation results were announced in February.
Chinese archaeologists have discovered the Jixia Academy dating back to the Warring States period. (Photo: Sina).
“The academy reminds me of a systematic training institution that grants degrees,” said Paul Goldin, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania in the United States.
The Jixia Academy was established around 319-301 BC during the reign of King Xuan of the State of Qi. Archaeologists believe that this academy operated for about 150 years.
“The Jixia Academy could have facilitated scholars of the time to come and study,” noted Wicky Tse, an associate professor of history at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
According to Goldin, the Qi dynasty aimed to leverage the Jixia Academy to attract top thinkers in China.
Many famous Chinese philosophers studied at this academy, but the most notable name is Mencius, a prominent Chinese sage.
His conversations with King Xuan are recorded in a collection known as the “Mencius,” which is one of the “Thirteen Classics” in Chinese history.
