According to a report by CCTV on May 10th, China and France are set to collaborate on the conservation and research of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and the wooden remains and earthen archaeological sites of the Mausoleum of Emperor Qinshihuang.
A director from the Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum stated that both the Mausoleum of Emperor Qinshihuang in China and the Notre Dame Cathedral in France are globally renowned world heritage sites, both of which have extensively used wooden materials and have suffered from fire damage. For instance, during the construction of the Terracotta Warriors' pits, a significant number of wooden components were used, and wooden remains such as chariots and parts of weapons have been unearthed, some of which have been subjected to varying degrees of burning. Similarly, the Notre Dame Cathedral also possesses numerous wooden architectural components, with its wooden roof structure severely damaged by fire in 2019. Therefore, the two sides have chosen the conservation of wooden remains as a common issue to initiate their cooperation.
Additionally, archaeological sites like the Terracotta Warriors' pits primarily consist of soil. The protection of such soil sites differs from common open-air soil sites as it requires addressing the challenges posed by their unique environmental and pathological characteristics and catering to the needs for archaeology, conservation, research, exhibition, and utilization to develop a sustainable protection and utilization scientific system. Therefore, there is a hope to collaborate with heritage institutions in France to research the conservation of archaeological soil sites and promote Chinese concepts of archaeological soil site protection internationally.
It is understood that due to the scarcity and non-renewability of cultural relics, the cooperation will begin with basic research conducted in the form of laboratory analysis and simulated experiments. In addition, the two sides will jointly cultivate young talents in the field of cultural heritage protection technology.
In April 2019, Notre Dame Cathedral was devastated by a massive fire, destroying its iconic spire and roof. Luckily, the main structure was preserved. On November 6th, 2019, the National Cultural Heritage Administration of China announced that China and France had signed a cooperation document in Beijing to collaborate on the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral, with Chinese experts participating in the restoration work.
According to French media reports in February this year, it is expected that the newly rebuilt spire of Notre Dame Cathedral will be fully restored during the Paris Olympics. However, this does not mean the completion of the restoration project, which is estimated to be finished in 2029 or 2030.
Cultural heritage cooperation has always been one of the most dynamic highlights in the cultural relations between China and France. Since its excavation, the Terracotta Warriors have had a deep connection with France. Four former French presidents, including Mitterrand, Chirac, Sarkozy, and current President Macron, have all visited the Museum of the Mausoleum of Emperor Qinshihuang.
In recent years, cultural institutions in Shaanxi Province have carried out cooperation projects with France and jointly conducted protection training. For example, they conducted the protection research of Gongshu Hall, a Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) temple, and the stone carvings at Maoling, an emperor's mausoleum of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC to 24 AD).
This time's collaborative research project is just one of the international cultural heritage restoration, protection, and research projects that China has been deeply involved in over the past decade. China has already carried out over 30 cultural relics assistance projects with 17 Belt and Road Initiative partner countries, strengthening cultural exchanges and mutual learning among countries and ethnic groups. In the future, more world heritage restoration projects will be imbued with "Chinese wisdom."
Source | Yangcheng Evening News
