Tracing Time
On September 24, local reports emerged of the discovery of ancient cultural relics close to Zhengyang Gate at the southern end of central Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. Reports centered on the discovery of a 3-meter-tall stone beast, which was unearthed to the southeast of the gate where the nearby Zhengyang Bridge once stood.
The stone beast that was unearthed by the bridge was one of the sons of the mythical dragon, placed there due to the belief he could monitor the water that flowed under the bridge and prevent flooding. Based on the excavation project, experts suggested restoring part of the bridge and the ancient moat it crossed in
