Principles for the Conservation of Heritage Sites in China
Encyclopedia
The Principles for the Conservation of Heritage Sites in China is a conservation charter promulgated in 2000 by China ICOMOS with the approval of State Administration of Cultural Heritage
(SACH ). It provides a methodological approach to the conservation of heritage
sites in China
.
In 1950 the People's Republic of China
began a national inventory and assessment of the significance of its cultural sites. As of 2004, over 400,000 heritage sites had been identified nationwide, with over 1,230 listed as being of national importance.
In 1982 the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Protection of Cultural Relics, consolidating previous legislation, entrusted primary responsibility for the conservation of cultural heritage to the government, while regulating the actions of conservation professionals. In 1985 China ratified the UNESCO World Heritage Convention. In May 1997 SACH requested that the Getty Conservation Institute
assist in drawing up China's first conservation charter, with the Burra Charter
proposed as a model. A tripartite project with the Australian Heritage Commission was launched in October 1997.
By involving foreign parties as well as drawing upon domestic experience, it was intended that international best practice should guide local heritage practitioners. The Preface to the China Principles states 'China's magnificent sites are the heritage not only of the various ethnic groups in China but are also the common wealth of all humanity
… it is the responsibility of all to bequeath these sites to future generations in their full integrity and authenticity
. Economic development
, mass tourism
, globalization
, and national interests
have all affected the country's historic legacy.
(2) Conservation to include both intervention and preventive measures
(3) Heritage values
(4) Benefit of society not short-term gain
(5) Conservation to comply with laws, regulations and standards; significance is the highest priority throughout
(6) Research
(7) Documentation
(8) Management and training
(9) Conservation process
(10) Survey and inventory
(11) Assessment of values, condition and management
(12) Listing and buffer zones
(13) Conservation plans
(14) Actions plans for conservation, interpretation and education
(15) Periodic review of conservation plans
(16) Peer review of conservation plans
(17) Day-to-day management
(18) Conservation in-situ
(19) Minimum intervention
(20) Maintenance programme
(21) Intervention must be reversible, 'unobtrusive' yet 'distinguishable', and disclosed to the public
(22) Conservation techniques and materials must be proven
(23) Aesthetic criteria, derived from historic authenticity
(24) Landscape and setting
(25) No reconstruction, except in special cases
(26) Excavation entails conservation
(27) Disaster plans
(28) Intervention should have clear objectives, use proven methods and materials, and be documented
(29) Regular maintenance
(30) Physical protection
(31) Minor restoration
(32) Any restoration should preserve traces of periods of significance
(33) No conjectural reconstruction
(34) Treatment of setting and landscaping should not adversely affect site
(35) Archaeological sites should typically be reburied to conserve and prevent theft
(36) Principles may also be applied to commemorative places
(37) Principles may also be drawn upon for cultural, historic, and submarine landscapes and historic cities
(38) Principles drafted and adopted by China ICOMOS and approved by SACH; amendments should follow similarly.
State Administration of Cultural Heritage
State Administration of Cultural Heritage is an administrative agency subordinate to the Ministry of Culture. It is responsible for relics and managing museums on mainland China...
(SACH ). It provides a methodological approach to the conservation of heritage
Cultural heritage
Cultural heritage is the legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes of a group or society that are inherited from past generations, maintained in the present and bestowed for the benefit of future generations...
sites in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
.
Background
While sustained debate on approaches to conservation dates from the nineteenth century, only in the mid-twentieth century were the first international and national conservation charters drawn up. In China, the development of modern conservation concepts and practice began in the 1930s.In 1950 the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
began a national inventory and assessment of the significance of its cultural sites. As of 2004, over 400,000 heritage sites had been identified nationwide, with over 1,230 listed as being of national importance.
In 1982 the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Protection of Cultural Relics, consolidating previous legislation, entrusted primary responsibility for the conservation of cultural heritage to the government, while regulating the actions of conservation professionals. In 1985 China ratified the UNESCO World Heritage Convention. In May 1997 SACH requested that the Getty Conservation Institute
Getty Conservation Institute
The Getty Conservation Institute , located in Los Angeles, California, is a program of the J. Paul Getty Trust. It is headquartered at the Getty Center but also has facilities at the Getty Villa, and commenced operation in 1985. The GCI is a private international research institution dedicated to...
assist in drawing up China's first conservation charter, with the Burra Charter
Burra Charter
The Burra Charter defines the basic principles and procedures to be followed in the conservation of Australian heritage places.In 1979, the Australia ICOMOS Charter for the Conservation of Places of Cultural Significance was adopted at a meeting of Australia ICOMOS at the historic mining town of...
proposed as a model. A tripartite project with the Australian Heritage Commission was launched in October 1997.
By involving foreign parties as well as drawing upon domestic experience, it was intended that international best practice should guide local heritage practitioners. The Preface to the China Principles states 'China's magnificent sites are the heritage not only of the various ethnic groups in China but are also the common wealth of all humanity
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
… it is the responsibility of all to bequeath these sites to future generations in their full integrity and authenticity
Authenticity in art
Authenticity in art has a variety of meanings related to different ways in which a work of art or an artistic performance may be considered authentic.Denis Dutton distinguishes between nominal authenticity and expressive authenticity....
. Economic development
Economic development
Economic development generally refers to the sustained, concerted actions of policymakers and communities that promote the standard of living and economic health of a specific area...
, mass tourism
Cultural tourism
Cultural tourism is the subset of tourism concerned with a country or region's culture, specifically the lifestyle of the people in those geographical areas, the history of those peoples, their art, architecture, religion, and other elements that helped shape their way of life...
, globalization
Globalization
Globalization refers to the increasingly global relationships of culture, people and economic activity. Most often, it refers to economics: the global distribution of the production of goods and services, through reduction of barriers to international trade such as tariffs, export fees, and import...
, and national interests
Nationalism
Nationalism is a political ideology that involves a strong identification of a group of individuals with a political entity defined in national terms, i.e. a nation. In the 'modernist' image of the nation, it is nationalism that creates national identity. There are various definitions for what...
have all affected the country's historic legacy.
Promulgation and publication
The 38 articles of the China Principles, with accompanying commentary, were promulgated by China ICOMOS in late 2000 with the approval of SACH. The principles are grouped into five chapters: (1) General Principles; (2) The Conservation Process; (3) Conservation Principles; (4) Conservation Interventions; and (5) Additional Principles. An English-language translation was first published in July 2002 and a bilingual version with a Chinese-English and English-Chinese glossary was published in May 2004. It is recognised that, as use of the guidelines reveals the need for change, the Principles will be revised. A planned further document is to comprise illustrated examples of successful conservation measures.The 38 Articles
(1) Definition of heritage sites(2) Conservation to include both intervention and preventive measures
(3) Heritage values
(4) Benefit of society not short-term gain
(5) Conservation to comply with laws, regulations and standards; significance is the highest priority throughout
(6) Research
(7) Documentation
(8) Management and training
(9) Conservation process
(10) Survey and inventory
(11) Assessment of values, condition and management
(12) Listing and buffer zones
(13) Conservation plans
(14) Actions plans for conservation, interpretation and education
(15) Periodic review of conservation plans
(16) Peer review of conservation plans
(17) Day-to-day management
(18) Conservation in-situ
(19) Minimum intervention
(20) Maintenance programme
(21) Intervention must be reversible, 'unobtrusive' yet 'distinguishable', and disclosed to the public
(22) Conservation techniques and materials must be proven
(23) Aesthetic criteria, derived from historic authenticity
(24) Landscape and setting
(25) No reconstruction, except in special cases
(26) Excavation entails conservation
(27) Disaster plans
(28) Intervention should have clear objectives, use proven methods and materials, and be documented
(29) Regular maintenance
(30) Physical protection
(31) Minor restoration
(32) Any restoration should preserve traces of periods of significance
(33) No conjectural reconstruction
(34) Treatment of setting and landscaping should not adversely affect site
(35) Archaeological sites should typically be reburied to conserve and prevent theft
(36) Principles may also be applied to commemorative places
(37) Principles may also be drawn upon for cultural, historic, and submarine landscapes and historic cities
(38) Principles drafted and adopted by China ICOMOS and approved by SACH; amendments should follow similarly.
Commentary
Extended commentary clarifies the way in which these principles should be interpreted and implemented.See also
- Burra CharterBurra CharterThe Burra Charter defines the basic principles and procedures to be followed in the conservation of Australian heritage places.In 1979, the Australia ICOMOS Charter for the Conservation of Places of Cultural Significance was adopted at a meeting of Australia ICOMOS at the historic mining town of...
- Venice CharterVenice CharterThe Venice Charter for the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Sites is a treaty that gives an international framework for the preservation and restoration of ancient buildings...
- Archaeology of ChinaArchaeology of ChinaThe archaeology of China is researched intensively in the universities of the region and also attracts considerable international interest on account of the region's civilizations.-Overview:...
- Chinese architectureChinese architectureChinese architecture refers to a style of architecture that has taken shape in East Asia over many centuries. The structural principles of Chinese architecture have remained largely unchanged, the main changes being only the decorative details...
- List of World Heritage Sites in China
- Values (heritage)Values (heritage)The values embodied in cultural heritage are identified in order to assess significance, prioritize resources, and inform conservation decision-making...