The 3-day 2nd Shanghai Archaeology Forum closed at the Baoshan Campus of Shanghai University on December 16, 2015. Themed the “archaeological exploration for cultural exchanges and diversity”, the forum promoted global exchanges in archaeology, publicized the latest findings of field archaeology and research results, and expanded the social influence of archaeology.
Advancing the Integration of Global Archaeology
The Shanghai Archaeology Forum was aimed to advance the investigation, research, protection and utilization of archaeological resources and cultural relics throughout the world. The 1st Shanghai Archaeology Forum, successfully launched in Shanghai in August 2013, played a crucial role in advancing the integration and development of global archaeology, as it was not only a major step that China has taken to be better connected with the world’s archaeological circle, but also made the world deepen its understanding towards the history and current conditions of China’s archaeology.
In his speech, Wang Weiguang noted that, as modern civilization develops faster and economic globalization increasingly deepens, the question of how to protect the diversity of human cultures and lifestyles across the globe becomes a prominent issue facing the entire world. Meanwhile, finding ways to strengthen exchanges and mutual learning among different cultures, or even different civilizations, while respecting and protecting cultural diversity, is also a major issue confronting all of humanity. Defining the theme of the forum as the “archaeological exploration for cultural exchanges and diversity” is of great practical significance, with the hope of offering beneficial inspiration and examples for the development of human society, both at present and in the future, through summarization of the human history.
Wang Weiguang also pointed out that both social development and cultural construction requires innovation. Appraisal of the Shanghai Archaeology Forum award highlights innovative ideas and philosophies, as well as the importance of cultural relics to the world, both at present and in the future, with the aim to promote protection of archaeological resources and cultural relics across the world, and to advance international cooperation and exchanges in a wider scope. Besides, it also plays a positive role in advancing Shanghai’s stature as an international metropolis.
Archaeological Exploration Demonstrates Exchanges and Mutual Learning among Civilizations
“More than studying the past of humans, archaeology helps us learn better about the past, present and future, and offers us historical inspiration by shedding a light on the social development, human lifestyles and human relations in ancient times,” said Wang Wei, Secretary General of the Shanghai Archaeology Forum and Director of the Institute of Archaeology, CASS.
Wang Wei said that the way in which we handle relations among different ethnic groups, different beliefs and different civilizations has been an issue that humans have faced since the earliest times, and an increasing number of historical materials have shown the diversity in human cultures. The exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations serves as a power driving civilization development, which is evidenced by a vast array of archaeological materials.
Professor Vasant Hinde of the Deccan Institute said there are many misunderstandings about the application of archaeology to the construction of modern societies and countries. It’s generally considered that research on ancient cultural relics has nothing to do with modern society. But every country takes its root in early culture or civilization. To understand the historical contribution of a country to human civilization, we first need to know where its root is, which remains impossible without archaeology.
China boasts distinctive archaeological research in the world, and the “Archaeological Investigation and Excavation of Tusi Sites in Southwest China” was honored with the Archaeological Field-discovery Award. Wang Wei said, the historical relics not only reflect the relations between border areas and the central dynasty during the formation of China as a multi-ethnic country, but also show the great importance that China attaches to its historical relics and the archaeological culture in its border areas. In recent years, China has introduced world-class methods and equipment for archaeological research, and seen booming cooperation between the domestic archaeological circle and its foreign counterparts. The “Origin and Spread of Millet” that was honored with the Archaeological Research Finding Award is the result of cooperation between Chinese and foreign archaeologists.
“Through archaeological exploration, we hope to advocate an attitude among the people, which is to respect and protect cultural diversity and promote the peaceful coexistence and exchanges among different civilizations,” said Wang Wei.
The Era of Public Archaeology Arrives
In general, the public has a keen interest in human history, particularly the history related to human society and its origin. Archaeologists therefore assume the responsibility of informing and guiding the public, said Charles Hyman, professor with St Catharine's College, Cambridge,
Hyman said, although field excavation often attracts an endless stream of visitors, relevant coverage is limited to a small number of experts and scholars. Public support is known to be crucial to both research sponsorship and preservation of cultural relics, but has never received sufficient attention. As precious and rare resources, archaeological sites record the past of humans, and can be truly protected only through public participation.
“The Shanghai Archaeology Forum organizes special archaeological lectures for the public. We also plan to put the lectures online, to let more people know the charm of archaeology,” Wang Wei told attending media, noting that “the era of public archaeology has arrived”. An increasing number of scholars have realized that archaeology is not only about field discovery and academic research, but also about publicizing archaeological discoveries through lectures and popular archaeological publications targeted at the general public, drawing more public to archaeological sites and museums, and encouraging their participation in archaeological development.
Professor Hinde said that all the archaeological organizations across the world must work together to address three issues related to ancient cultural relics. First, they must publicize the importance and contribution of ancient culture to local, regional, national and world histories. That can be enabled by organizing public lectures, through publishing in popular literature, by holding relevant exhibitions, and by developing tourism in historical sites. Constructing archaeological museums and sites from the perspective of tourism can bring huge benefits to the national economy. Second, the protection of archaeological sites and relics faces huge challenges either at present or in the future. Protection is hard to sustain without participation of local residents or community-based archaeological methods. Third, the traditional knowledge system must be revitalized and applied to development of the modern society.
The international academic forum, sponsored by CASS and Shanghai Municipal People’s Government and undertaken by Shanghai Academy, the Institute of Archaeology of CASS, Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Cultural Relics and Shanghai University, turned out to be a great success. More than 200 first-class archaeologists from 24 countries gathered in Shanghai, discussing the major findings and research results in global archaeology over the past three years. It’s a gathering amid frequent exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations, as well as a platform that China has established for archaeological exchanges as a prominent cultural country. It gives weight to the say and influence of China’s academic circle in the world, and marks a successful trial of Shanghai Academy that takes its root in Shanghai and serves the world.
