Jottings from the Granite Studio

From AP: Hong Kong University economist Zhang Wuchang has rekindled a long simmering debate over whether economic imperatives trump historic preservation. Professor Zhang wrote:

“The cultural enlightenment from excavating the tomb of Qinshi Huang will surpass the pyramids of Egypt. Not starting excavations is the same as having nothing. Only by excavating will we find value capable of contributing to society.”

Naturally, archaeologists and historians have concerns over this rush to cash in on the site, potentially one of the richest sources of pre-Han artifacts ever uncovered by archaeologists.

Duan Qingbo, head of the excavation team of the Qinshi Huangdi mausoleum, replied:

“Many view this kind of thinking as the main problem facing China today. A lot of officials are only thinking about money and the benefits that such an excavation will bring to them. Meanwhile they ignore the science. If any dig is going to be undertaken we have to ensure that what is found can be preserved, otherwise we will be killing the chicken that lays the golden egg. Chinese archaeologists have ruined many objects because excavations were not properly done and the technology was lacking.”

Duan was referring in part, to the botched 1950s excavation of the tomb of the Dingling Emperor (Ming) near Beijing, when poor methods and inadequate technology resulted in damage to the tomb. This damage was compounded in the 1960s when Red Guards stormed the site, destroying priceless artifacts including the body of the emperor.

Nobody’s saying that the Chinese should not profit from tourism and China’s long history is a huge draw for tourist dollars. At the same time, officials should not think of themselves as simply the inheritors of cultural treasure troves to be exploited in the most lucrative way possible; rather they should they see themselves as stewards of a rich historical legacy held in trust for future generations. China is justifiably proud of its rich history, it owes it to the world to allow the experts to excavate, study, and share the sites in a way that allows all generations, including those yet to come, to share in the discovery. If this can be done using current methods, then by all means dig. If the curators of the site feel that the technology or the technique is still lacking, then why not postpone excavation? The Qin Emperor, Emperor Gaozong, and Wu Zutian have rested for millennia, surely they can wait a few more years before revealing their secrets.