An exterior view of Suzhou Archaeological Museum (Photo courtesy Suzhou Daily)

Suzhou Archaeological Museum, the first museum in Jiangsu Province dedicated to archaeology, is set to open around International Museum Day on May 18.

Located in the northern part of the Shihu Lake Scenic Area, the project has taken nearly a decade to complete, from site selection to the full relocation of tombs from Eastern Wu (222-280), the southern state during the Three Kingdoms period.

Spearheaded by Suzhou Institute of Archaeology, the new museum features innovative exhibition approach that emphasizes both archaeological ruins and cultural relics.

The relocation of tombs dating back to the Eastern Wu period (Photo courtesy Suzhou Daily)

Key elements from the original site have been relocated and reconstructed to restore the historical context of the objects on display. Many structural components, including tomb walls, wells, road surfaces, and paving bricks, were transported directly from the archaeological site.

Zhou Guanqing, head of the institute’s museum division, said in addition to the tombs themselves, the exhibition also showcases excavated goldware, bronze vessels, and porcelain vases.

The primary aim, Zhou said, is to present artefacts in their original state and provide visitors with a fully immersive experience of the archaeological process.

The museum will also house facilities such as restoration room and laboratory, allowing the public to gain deeper insight into archaeology and excavation.