China Focuses on Preservation of Archaeological Sites
A recent conference in Changzhou outlines Chinas plans for the preservation and development of archaeological sites during the 15th Five-Year Plan.
Changzhou, October 13 (Daily Kiran) : A significant conference on archaeological site preservation took place on October 13 in Changzhou, the capital of Hunan province, China. This event reviewed achievements from the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) and outlined key initiatives for the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030).
According to the Chinese National Cultural Heritage Administration, the 14th Five-Year Plan integrated the preservation and enhanced utilization of major archaeological sites into the national geospatial strategy. Out of more than 330,000 ancient sites and tombs across the country, 150 were designated as representative locations.
National archaeological parks played a crucial role in this effort. The revised Cultural Heritage Protection Law during the 14th Five-Year Plan included these parks, resulting in the establishment of 29 new national archaeological parks, raising the total to 65. These parks completed 161 archaeological excavation projects and 336 preservation initiatives, attracting over 300 million visitors—almost double the number from the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020).
The conference established four main directions for future work. These include enhancing the understanding of ancient civilizations through high-level archaeological research, ensuring ongoing site preservation through scientific methods and regulations, strengthening cultural services via improved exhibitions, and accelerating site development through effective management.
To achieve these goals, research will focus on preservation techniques for archaeological sites with soil, brick, stone, and humid environments. Preventive conservation measures will be developed to safeguard sites before damage occurs. Additionally, monitoring systems will be enhanced using technologies like satellite-based remote sensing, drones, and the Internet of Things.
Furthermore, national archaeological parks that fail to operate adequately, lack sufficient preservation measures, or have stalled research activities will receive warnings. If improvements are not made, these parks may be removed from the national registry.
It is important to note that major archaeological sites are not merely extensive historical locations; they play a vital role in understanding the development of civilizations and cultural heritage. These include ancient settlements, old cities, palaces, and tombs, providing significant evidence of China’s one million years of human history, ten thousand years of cultural traditions, and over five thousand years of civilization.
