Strengthen the Protection of Archaeological and Historical and Cultural Heritage And tell the story of Chinese history well

Author: Liu Qi, Associate Professor of Nanjing Normal University and Postdoctoral Fellow in History, Nanjing University

The 23rd issue of Qiushi magazine, published on December 1, published an important article by Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the People's Republic of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, entitled "Archaeology of Building Chinese Style and Style with Chinese Characteristics, Better Understanding the Long-Standing, Broad, and Profound Chinese Civilization." The article emphasizes that first, we must "fully understand the major achievements and important significance of China's archaeological work"; second, we must "do a good job in China's archaeological work and historical research"; third, we must "make good use of archaeological and historical research results".

In recent years, archaeological excavations and historical and cultural heritage have attracted more and more attention. From the live broadcast of "Jiangkou Shenyin", to the brushing screen of the tomb of The Marquis of Haidu, from the hit broadcast of "National Treasure Archives" and "National Treasure", to some museums that have also begun to queue up in non-"Golden Week" periods... Public archaeology is bringing people from curiosity to awe. Appreciating historical and cultural heritage, walking into historical and cultural heritage, and perceiving historical and cultural heritage have become a way of life for Chinese people. Cases of destruction and theft of cultural relics that occur from time to time in various localities are also warning that it is necessary to establish a correct attitude, use scientific means and professional methods to popularize the knowledge of archaeological and historical and cultural heritage, and protect and rationally utilize historical and cultural heritage according to law.

Strengthening the protection of archaeological and historical and cultural heritage can better explore the source of Chinese civilization. Along with the development of archaeological work, we confirm that China has a million years of human history, 10,000 years of cultural history and more than 5,000 years of civilization history. As the place of origin of mankind and one of the ancient countries of world civilization, many artifacts and technologies first appeared and used in China. The longer and more splendid the history and culture, the more responsible and conscious we are to clarify and explain the origin of our culture.

To this end, China has successively launched the Xia-Shang-Zhou Dynasty Project, the Chinese Civilization Exploration Project, the Archaeological China Project, etc., with the support of modern science and technology, and adopted multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research methods to reveal the origin and early development of the Chinese nation's five-thousand-year civilization, and has achieved important results in stages. With the establishment of the Yanshi Erlitou Xiadu Ruins Museum in Henan, the "Sacred Affairs of the Five Emperors and Three Emperors" will eventually be revealed. These will more clearly reveal the historical context of the origin and development of Chinese civilization, and continuously enhance national cohesion and pride.

Strengthening the protection of archaeological and historical and cultural heritage can better show the pulse of Chinese civilization. Traditional Chinese culture has a long development, peaks are stacked, and there are peaks in generations. In the long journey of thousands of years, the Chinese nation has experienced countless thrilling historical events, emerged many heroic figures who can sing and cry, created great achievements in the annals of history, and left countless breathtaking historical relics and scenic spots.

History is the best textbook, and historical and cultural heritage such as archaeological remains is the best "living dictionary" for annotating history. Like the profound Chinese culture, they are the crystallization of the spiritual wisdom and talent of the Chinese people, and they are also the precious wealth left to us by our ancestors. Only by protecting historical and cultural heritage well can we better study and inherit the rich knowledge and valuable experience accumulated by the Chinese nation for thousands of years, so as to have a deeper understanding of yesterday, grasp today, and look forward to tomorrow.

Strengthening the protection of archaeological and historical and cultural heritage can better condense the feelings of Chinese civilization. Cultural self-confidence is a more basic, broader and deeper self-confidence. The historical and cultural heritage not only deeply contains the excellent traditional Chinese culture, but also accumulates the deepest spiritual pursuit of the Chinese nation and represents the unique spiritual identity of the Chinese nation.

Chinese civilization has lasted for thousands of years without interruption, but it has also endured wind and rain and hardships. Especially in modern times, internal and external troubles have been endless, and they have been plagued by wars for a long time, natural disasters and man-made disasters have been continuous, and the wounds have not yet been destroyed. At the moment of life and death of the country and the nation, all the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation fought together with the enemy and united in their will, and played a magnificent song of patriotism that swallowed mountains and rivers. Today, when we see the return of the lost overseas cultural relics in the Yuanmingyuan, when we stop at No. 106 Wangzhi Road in Shanghai... These historical and cultural relics have once again touched our heartstrings, reminding us of the magnificent chapter of the cpc's unity and leadership of the Chinese people in modern times, and becoming the spiritual link between the Chinese people and the Chinese nation with one heart and one mind and unremitting self-improvement.

General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, "We must strengthen archaeological work and historical research, so that the cultural relics collected in museums, the heritage displayed on the vast land, and the words written in ancient books are all alive, so as to enrich the historical and cultural nourishment of the whole society." Archaeological and historical cultural heritage should not only be "fire", but also "live", and must adhere to creative transformation and innovative development. Historical and cultural heritage has never been so close to the people, close to life and close to society as it is today. It is not only in the glass display case, in the antiquities and monuments, but also in the small streets and alleys of our lives in the old town, in the nostalgia of going out to see the mountains and rivers, it is the root, life and soul of each of our Chinese.

Only by strengthening the protection of archaeological and historical and cultural heritage can we tell the story of Chinese history well, listen to ourselves, to future generations, and to the people of the world. Only in this way can the long-standing Chinese culture forge ahead and show its timeless, more colorful, prosperous and developed style. (Liu Qi)

Source: Guangming Network - Commentary Channel