Industry Observation: Revitalizing Ancient Jades: A New Chapter in Cultural Heritage Protection and Inheritance Powered by Technology
[Beijing, China] In recent years, with the continuous increase in national investment in cultural heritage protection and the rapid development of technology, the field of ancient jade cultural relic protection is ushering in unprecedented 'revitalization' opportunities. From traditional physical restoration to high-tech non-destructive testing, and further to digital display and virtual restoration, technology is empowering the protection and inheritance of ancient jades with unprecedented depth and breadth.
Data Insights: Increased Investment and Technological Breakthroughs
According to the latest data released by the National Cultural Heritage Administration, the national special fund for cultural heritage protection reached 18.5 billion yuan in 2023, with the proportion allocated to movable cultural relics protection exceeding 35% for the first time, reaching 6.475 billion yuan. Among these, ancient jade cultural relic protection and restoration projects accounted for a significant share. For instance, the Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, in collaboration with the Luoyang Institute of Archaeology, launched the 'Technological Protection and Chronological Study of Heluo Ancient Jades' project, with a total investment exceeding 30 million yuan. This project aims to conduct in-depth analysis of the material, craftsmanship, and 'qin' (patina) of excavated ancient jades using advanced technologies such as X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), Raman spectroscopy, and synchrotron radiation micro-CT, providing scientific basis for restoration.
“We are not just restoring to the old, but also interpreting the historical information and cultural codes embedded in ancient jades through technological means,” said Professor Zhang Guoli, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the China Cultural Heritage Protection Foundation and a renowned cultural relic protection expert, in an interview with our publication. “In the past, we might have relied more on experience; now, we have more precise tools. For example, for the common 'decay' phenomenon in excavated ancient jades, the Cultural Relics Restoration Center of the Palace Museum in Beijing has successfully applied nanomaterial reinforcement technology, increasing the strength of a batch of Warring States period jade artifacts by over 20%, effectively slowing down the weathering process.”
Ancient Jades 'Reborn' in the Digital Wave
Digitalization is another major highlight in ancient jade protection. The 'Digital Museum Program' jointly launched by the National Cultural Heritage Administration and Tencent has carried out high-precision 3D scanning and modeling of ancient jade collections from over 100 museums, including the Palace Museum and Shanghai Museum. In 2023 alone, the number of unique visitors browsing ancient jade collections online through this platform exceeded 50 million, a year-on-year increase of 40%. Among them, star cultural relics such as the 'Jade Cong King' from the Sanxingdui Museum in Guanghan, Sichuan, and the 'Jade Bi' from the Liangzhu Museum in Zhejiang, allow the public to appreciate their exquisite details up close through 360-degree panoramic displays and interactive experiences without leaving home.
“Digitalization is not only a display method but also a protection strategy,” pointed out Dr. Li Ming, a researcher of ancient jades at the Nanjing Museum. “By establishing high-precision digital archives, even if the cultural relic itself suffers irreversible damage, its information can be completely preserved. At the same time, VR/AR technology also provides unlimited possibilities for the revitalization and utilization of ancient jades. We are developing an AI-based ancient jade appreciation APP, where users can upload jade images to get preliminary analysis of age, material, and cultural background, which will greatly enhance public interest and understanding of ancient jades.”
International Cooperation and Talent Cultivation
International cooperation in ancient jade protection is also deepening. In 2023, China collaborated with UNESCO to launch the 'Protection and Research of Jade Culture Heritage along the Silk Road' project, aiming to unite Central Asian countries to jointly protect and study ancient jade relics along the Silk Road. Simultaneously, major domestic universities such as Peking University and Zhejiang University have successively established cultural relic protection and restoration majors to cultivate interdisciplinary talents. According to statistics, the number of certified cultural relic restorers nationwide has exceeded 5,000, with the proportion of young talents possessing high-tech restoration skills increasing year by year.
Challenges and Prospects
Despite remarkable achievements, ancient jade protection still faces challenges. For example, the high cost of high-tech equipment, the continued shortage of professional talents, and how to balance the relationship between protection and utilization are all topics that require continuous discussion. However, it is foreseeable that with the continuous support of national policies, continuous breakthroughs in technological innovation, and the growing awareness of cultural heritage protection throughout society, ancient jade cultural relics will undoubtedly shine brighter in the new era, telling the world the long history and unique charm of Chinese civilization.