The project aimed at tracing the origins of Chinese civilization released its archaeological research results on Monday. According to its findings, Chinese civilization can be traced back more than 5,000 years based on the large-scale archaeological research in many domestic ruins.

中华文明探源工程28日发布考古研究成果，在国内多个遗址进行的大规模考古研究证实，中华文明可以追溯到5000多年以前。

中国国家文物局副局长关强介绍，探源工程是以考古调查发掘(archaeological research)为获取相关资料的主要手段，以现代科学技术为支撑，采取多学科交叉研究(multidisciplinary scientific research)的方式，揭示中华民族5000年文明起源与早期发展的重大科研项目。该工程由中国社科院考古研究所(the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of Archaeology)、北京大学考古文博学院(Peking University's School of Archaeology and Museology)牵头，联合近70家科研院所、高等院校和地方考古研究机构共同参与。

多年来，探源工程专家聚焦良渚、陶寺、石峁、二里头等都邑性遗址(capital city-level sites)，以田野考古(field archaeology)工作为中心，为实证5000年中华文明提供重要证据。

经过多年研究，专家们对中华文明起源和早期发展的过程进行了梗概式描述。

Signs of civilization emerged around 5,800 years ago in areas of the Yellow River, the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, and the West Liao River in Northeast China

距今5800年前后，黄河、长江中下游以及西辽河等区域出现了文明起源迹象;

Around 5,000 years ago, some regions along the Yangtze River, the Yellow River and the western bank of Liaohe River (in Northeast China) stepped into the age of civilization.

距今5300年以来，中华大地各地区陆续进入了文明阶段;

A more mature civilization took shape in central China around 3,800 years ago and spread cultural influence around, becoming the focus and leader in formation of the Chinese civilization.

距今3800年前后，中原地区形成了更为成熟的文明形态，并向四方辐射文化影响力，成为中华文明总进程的核心与引领者。