文明重光：从良渚看历史的另一种可能(3)

Looking back from the vantage point of later history, while the Liangzhu Culture did not continue to the present day, the civilization system it constructed, bound by divine power, has undergone transformation and integration, becoming part of the ritual-music civilization of the Central Plains dynasties, serving as a spiritual precursor to the Bronze Age. From the spirit of ritual to state governance, it remains an irreplaceable cultural cornerstone at the core of the question, "Why is it China?" In this sense, perhaps we have never truly lost Liangzhu.

The existence of Liangzhu does not just challenge traditional narratives of civilization origins; it also offers a glimpse into the diverse rehearsals human society underwent before the grand historical epic of the "State" unfolded. Today, our renewed focus on Liangzhu's cultural heritage signifies far more than mere nostalgia. As globalization faces challenges and modern solutions show signs of exhaustion, Liangzhu, this ancient "Other," provides us with a valuable mirror for comparison. It enlightens us that the dimensions for measuring a society's success can perhaps transcend the singular adoration of technological complexity and expansion capability. The spiritual resolve, the profound indigenous knowledge system, and the practice of long-term coexistence with nature demonstrated by the Liangzhu model constitute an ancient response to the dilemmas of modernity. These traits, once marginalized by the mainstream civilization narrative, might be the very wisdom we urgently need to retrieve in addressing our current ecological and meaning crises.

Therefore, the true meaning of the "Re-illumination of Civilization" is not to replicate a lost cultural specimen, but to broaden our vision for the future by leveraging the diversity and possibilities that Liangzhu represents. It reminds us that the future of humanity should not be confined to a single development model. Protecting cultural heritage is precisely about safeguarding the diverse wisdom that civilization has precipitated over the ages. Today, every time we look back at Liangzhu, we are engaging in a cross-temporal dialogue. We understand the deep roots of "Why is it China?" and, with reverence for the diversity of civilizations, we explore the common future of humanity with greater composure and clarity.