Zhang said that, like Tutankhamun's tomb in Egypt, the Zeng state's long and splendid history was revealed by recent archaeological discoveries and their musical instruments, represented by the bronze bells, which astonished the world.

"The objects traveling from Hubei to California allow us to entertain and inform our audience through a magical art journey crossing time and space. I'm sure that our audience will feel the beauty of China's early art and better understand how these regional cultures finally integrated into Chinese civilization via these latest archaeological findings," said Zhang.

"We are witnessing a golden age of Chinese archaeology. Phoenix Kingdoms bridges the gap between myth and history, allowing visitors to come face-to-face with the past through these stunning artifacts," said Jay Xu, director and CEO of the Asian Art Museum and a specialist in early China, at the opening ceremony.

Zhang emphasized the previously unknown significance of these states.

"These exquisite artworks, national treasures in China due to their rarity and beauty, serve as missing links between myth and recorded history," he explained.

It is such a rare opportunity for American audiences, since the artifacts, like textiles that were previously too fragile to be excavated or travel, can now be shared with the public thanks to improved environmental controls and scientific advances, said Anne Kaahn, a docent of the Asian Art Museum.

"People should really get in and see this. You'll learn how incredibly sophisticated Chinese history is," she told China Daily, adding that even those who have no prior knowledge of Chinese history can appreciate it.