The second official list of national archaeological parks in China was issued by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage (SACH).

Twelve parks from around the country were selected, including Niuheliang Archaeological Site Park, Bohai Zhongjing Archaeological Site Park, Bohai Shangjing Archaeological Site Park, Royal Kiln Archaeological Site Park, Qufu Lu State Old City Archaeological Site Park, the Grand Canal Nanwang Hub Archaeological Site Park, Han and Wei Dynasties Luyang Old City Archaeological Site Park, Xiongjiazhong Tomb Archaeological Site Park, Changsha Copper Royal Kiln Archaeological Site Park, Zengpiyan Archaeological Site Park, Diaoyu City Archaeological Site Park and Beiting Old City Archaeological Site Park.

It is reported that in order to further promote the protection of large scale archeological sites and standardize the construction of archaeological parks, the SACH carried out an evaluation of the country’s archeological parks in accordance with the specifications contained in the Administrative Measures for National Archaeological Site Parks (for Trail Implementation) and the Detailed Rules and Regulations for Evaluating National Archaeological Site Parks. The second list of national archaeological parks was finally decided upon after qualified experts conducted site inspections and discussions.

The SACH also strengthened its requirement that the relevant local authorities and the administrations of the archaeological parks should keep track of the state and the construction of the archaeological parks, standardize the process of construction, and duly deal with the relationship between the protection, research, exhibition and proper utilization of the relics. This way full play can be given to the role of archaeological site parks within the local system of public cultural services.

The Chinese version appeared in Chinese Social Sciences Today, No. 540, 23rd December, 2013.

Chinese link: http://www.csstoday.net/xueshuzixun/jishizixun/86780.html

　　Translated by Chen Meina

　　Revised by Gabriele Corsetti