PANEL 3 SESSION A
(panel chair: Mr. He Yuling of The Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences)

Liang Fawei
Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology
“A few notes on the conservation of major sites”

Mr. Liang used the archaeological efforts in Henan to discuss concepts and challenges in major site conservation. Examples of challenges are the protection of some large sites that are without governmental support, and many ancient tombs that are not listed as a major site but which also need to be protected.

Yu Xiyun
Wuhan University
“The cultural concepts of the conservation of major sites”

Dr. Yu proposed that the protection of major sites needs to involve three issues: firstly, the distribution range of major sites, and their chronology and dating, the layout of their contents and other indicators of cultural meaning; secondly, the function and structure of major sites, what they reflect about social operations and its cultural value; and thirdly, how major sites can be integrated into modern society to become a component of modern culture. Dr. Yu also shared his views on archaeological site parks.

Liu Jianguo
The Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
“The three-dimensional reconstruction and study of ancient walled cities”

Dr. Liu presented on the use of low-altitude aerial photography and three-dimensional reconstruction technology in the study of ancient city sites. For example, the use of a drone to record location coordinates, and to clearly show the site in the context of its surrounding environment, or to establish an information system on the geography of the ancient city site. All of this is an advancement in making the research process of ancient city sites more scientific.

PANEL 3 SESSION B
(panel chair: Dr. Tsang Cheng-hwa of the Institute of History and Philology, Academia Sinica)

Christiane Bis-Worch
Centre national de recherché archéologique (CNRA), Luxembourg
“Urban archaeology and conservation of archaeological sites in Luxembourg - potential conflict or valuable addition to modern construction”

Dr. Bis-Worch introduced different examples of archaeological work in Luxembourg. Although a relatively smaller in land-area, the country of Luxembourg nevertheless has many archaeological sites that need to be integrated with newly developed constructions and buildings. Using various examples of sites, Dr. Bis-Worch discussed the different challenges that archaeologists in Luxembourg face, and how they were able to ultimately successfully proceed with excavation and conservation work.

Ralf Kilian
Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics(IBP), Germany
“Current conservation research and experiences at the Porta Nocera Necropolis within the Pompeii Sustainable Preservation Project”

Dr. Ralf Kilian introduced the Pompeii Sustainable Preservation Project (PSPP). The project has researched long-lasting protection roofs to shield some of the structures in Pompeii, and has also conducted summer camps to foster interest among students in becoming restorers, providing a great professional training opportunity for them, and also simultaneously advancing conservation efforts in the Pompeei ancient site.

Giora Solar
Solar Architects
“Archaeology and Conflicts in Jerusalem”

Dr. Solar discussed the archaeological work in Jerusalem, as well as the cultural conflicts and challenges that the city faces. Jerusalem is a place with many different cultural and social systems of values and ideologies, giving rise to many disputes and contention. As a result, many difficulties are encountered in the conservation process. Dr. Solar also brought up the current debate surrounding the concept of “reconstruction,” whether it is beneficial or unhelpful in conservation processes.

PANEL 3 SESSION C (panel chair: Dr. Zhang Changping of Wuhan University)

Steven Ng
The Hong Kong Archaeology Society
“Hong Kong Archaeological Sites in Urban Area”

Mr. Ng presented one of the archaeological sites within the Hong Kong city—Lung Tsun Stond Bridge. Mr. Ng shared the history and significance of the site, as well as the excavation process and future conservation direction. The conservation concept of the site was opened to the public through a competition, allowing the public an opportunity to be part of conservation work.

Tsang Cheng-hwa
Institute of History and Philology, Academia Sinica
“A planning framework for the Preservation and management of the Palaeolithic site in Taitung, Taiwan”

Dr. Tsang discussed Baxian Cave, an archaeological site that is also a beautiful scenic area on the east coast of Taiwan. Because of insufficient attention to protection efforts in the area, the Paleolithic remains of the site have suffered damage or irreparable loss. Thus the Taiwanese government has implemented the “Baxian Cave Paleolithic Site Park and Exhibition Hall Project Plan,” to bring a new conservation and display focus to the site.

Ray Ma and Teresa Lo
Antiquities and Monuments Office (Hong Kong)
“Conservation and Interpretation of Archaeological Sites at Kowloon City”

Mr. Ma and Ms. Lo presented on the recent archaeological work in Hong Kong, including the northern gate site of Kowloon Walled City, Lung Tsun Stone Bridge, and the Song-Yuan sites that were unearthed in the construction of the Shatin-Central MTR line. Mr. Ma also discussed some of the policies and guidelines followed in the conservation of these sites, like the Kowloon Walled City Northern Gate being preserved in-situ, according to conservation recommendations.

The two days of the conference were rich in content, and hopefully helped to push forward conservation efforts in relation to archaeological sites. Chinese Cultural Studies Center is grateful for all the presenters who came from near and far to attend, and for the audience members who took the time to learn more about archaeology and conservation, and hope that there will be future opportunities for collaboration in the future!