At a significant national cultural relics and technology conference held on Friday, Chinese authorities pledged to employ innovative, high-tech strategies to enhance the preservation of cultural heritage. The commitment to technological innovation in this field aligns with recent directives from multiple departments, including the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the National Cultural Heritage Administration.
Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Li Qun, also the head of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, emphasized the strides made in various archaeological domains, thanks to advanced technology. These advancements encompass areas such as carbon-14 dating and deep-sea archaeology. Notably, there have been significant developments in detecting organic residues, analyzing ancient DNA, and the informatization of field archaeology.
Li Qun also highlighted how technologies like satellite remote sensing, the Beidou Navigation Satellite System, big data, and cloud computing have revolutionized the management and digitization of China’s cultural heritage. This technological leap is evident in projects like virtual tours of the Great Wall and the digital rendering of the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, underscoring the impact of digital tools in cultural preservation and presentation.
China’s approach is not insular; the country is keen on sharing its experiences and enhancing international collaboration in archaeological research. This cooperative vision extends to joint archaeology projects and addressing global heritage protection concerns. As part of initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative and the Alliance for Cultural Heritage in Asia, China aims to fortify partnerships in cultural heritage conservation with countries along these routes and across Asia.
Academician Chen Fahu from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and a researcher at the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, spoke about his team’s work on ancient ecology and human adaptation on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Leveraging technological innovation, such as ancient protein analysis, the team has made groundbreaking discoveries, including identifying a Denisovan jawbone in Baishiya Karst Cave. This find marks the earliest archaeological evidence on the plateau and suggests an ancient Denisovan presence in what is now Xiahe county, Gansu Province, around 40,000 years ago.
These technological advancements are crucial for Chinese archaeology to continue delving into the past. Integrating cutting-edge techniques from diverse fields like biology, physics, chemistry, and geology enables researchers to extract extensive information about ancient human societies, their development, and environmental interactions. This comprehensive understanding contributes significantly to China’s major cultural strategies.
Director Li Liusan of the China Academy of Cultural Heritage discussed the successful organization of the General Assembly of the Alliance for Cultural Heritage in Asia this year. The formation of this alliance has created a collaborative platform for Asian countries to exchange knowledge and experiences in cultural heritage conservation. Looking ahead, there’s a focused drive to enhance scientific research cooperation and talent development in the field of cultural heritage technology with other Asian nations, marking a step towards sustainable advancement in heritage protection technologies.
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