(Photo provided to Xinhua Daily)

Suzhou Archaeological Museum, the first museum dedicated to archaeology in Jiangsu Province, is set to open to the public on May 17.

The museum’s main building features bold triangular blocks, evoking the theme of “breaking through the earth,” according to Cheng Yi, director of the Suzhou Institute of Archaeology and curator of the new museum.

Designed by Professor Cheng Taining from Southeast University, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, the architectural concept draws inspiration from artefacts unearthed at the nearby Yuecheng Ruins, including stone adzes and axe-like tools, conveying a sense of simplicity, timelessness, and natural historical depth.

The museum features full-scale reconstruction of Mound Tomb No. 1 from the Eastern Wu state during the Three Kingdoms period (220-280), which has been entirely relocated from its original site at Xincun, Huqiu Road. The cruciform brick-chamber tomb yielded 66 artefacts during excavation.

Focusing on archaeological discoveries from across Suzhou, the museum showcases key items from the collection of the Suzhou Institute of Archaeology. A total of 1,200 carefully selected artefacts and sets of relics are on display.

In addition to the permanent exhibitions, the museum also includes an educational zone, a display zone for relic conservation and restoration work, and café and leisure spaces in outdoor plaza.