Echoes of Hongshan cross oceans

Those concerns quickly disappeared once the activity began.

Divided into groups, the students took on different responsibilities. Some shaped earth into bricks, while others carried and prepared materials for construction.

"Everyone pitched in," Han said. "They helped one another and built the circular wall together, turning a series of demanding tasks into a genuine team effort."

Liu Yanfei, a student volunteer from the school, said communication occasionally faltered because of language differences. However, a gesture, a clay brick or a demonstration was often enough to keep the work moving.

"It felt as if we were not separated by an ocean, but were old friends who had known each other for a long time," she said.

The group also visited other major sites associated with Hongshan culture, including Niuheliang and Dongshanzui. At these sites, the archaeological remains were no longer isolated points on a map. The students could see how the sites related to the surrounding terrain and consider the relationship between the landscape, available resources and the lives of ancient communities.

For University of New South Wales student Declan Jacques Curran, the combination of archaeological sites and museum visits was particularly valuable.

"Being able to see a real archaeological dig and the process that goes into making discoveries was really special," he said. "And then blending that experience with going to museums, where we could see pieces like the goddess sculpture and the jade pig-dragons, made it even more meaningful."

Han said the integration of classroom study, site visits and practical work was central to the program.

"Simply reading books and viewing images in a classroom makes it difficult for students to develop a deep understanding," he said. "Combining site visits with immersive, hands-on activities provides a direct cultural experience that books cannot replace."

Beyond its academic focus, the program also marked Rutter's first visit to China. She said the support she received from Liaoning University's teachers and student volunteers allowed her to engage with the country more deeply than she could have as an ordinary tourist.

"They supported us in every aspect of the study tour — academically, logistically and practically — and always made us feel welcome," she said. "It was wonderful to see genuine friendships develop, and I hope those connections will continue long after the program."

Wu Bingyi contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at zhouhuiying@chinadaily.com.cn