From the perspective of the public, archaeology is full of mystery. How does archaeology get done? What do archaeologists find? ...

Underwater archaeological site in a spirifer quarry at Xiqiao Mountain, Nanhai District, Foshan [Photo/Nanfang Daily]

From now on, you will have an access to the latest achievements in archaeology in the province. The Guangdong Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology will hold more seminars to reveal its work to the public from time to time, according to Cao Jin, director of the institute.

The institute held an archaeology debriefing, open to the public, on March 12th, which is the first time that it has done so in 30 years. The debriefing not only had a full house, but also received nearly 10 times the number of applicants expected.

Cultural relics unearthed from Nanhai I [Photo/Nanfang Daily]

Cao said they were overwhelmed by the public’s great enthusiasm and will ponder over how to effectively spread the latest developments of relics and archaeology to the public.

At the debriefing, Guangdong’s eight major archaeological projects of 2018 were unveiled, covering areas of field archaeology, underwater archaeology, preservation of cultural relics and conservation of historic buildings. Multiple breakthroughs, new technologies and concepts have also been made public.

The ancient building complex in Gongwu Village, Longhua Town, Longmen County, Huizhou [Photo/Nanfang Daily]

Guangdong’s eight major archaeological projects of 2018

* Excavation of Qingtang Site in Yingde, Qingyuan

* Excavation of an ancient tomb at Dading Mountain in Dongyuan County, Heyuan

* Excavation of tombs from the Six Dynasties to Tang Dynasty at Laishan, Ruyuan County, Shaoguan

* Excavation and discovery of Nanhai I

* Laser and sonar mapping technique applied in a spirifer quarry at Xiqiao Mountain, Nanhai District, Foshan

* Protection of bronze ware unearthed from an ancient tomb at Longzuigang, Zhaoqing

* Conservation program of an ancient building complex in Gongwu Village, Longhua Town, Longmen County, Huizhou

* Conservation program of an ancient kiln factory site in Yingang Village, Longxi Town, Boluo County, Huizhou

Reported by Monica Liu

Edited by Olivia Yang