Page 38 - The Golden Age of Chinese Archaeology: Celebrated Discoveries from the People’s Republic of China

Bronze canister with
gilt bronze rider; height
5
50 (19 A); Western Han
dynasty; excavated in 1956
from Tomb 10, Shizhaishan,
Jinning, Yunnan province
(left).

Silk banner; length c. 212
(83 '/2); Han dynasty; exca-
vated in 1972 from Tomb i,
Mawangdui, Changsha,
Hunan province (right).

been discovered accidentally in some localities, regional authorities were given the responsibil-
ity for reporting and collecting discoveries and archaeological materials found by farmers, con-
struction workers, and surveyors. They also participated in excavations, although the more
important field excavations were directed by the Beijing-based institutions. Over several
decades, the network for administration has evolved, and now also provides locations for the
study, preservation, and display of cultural properties.
In 1950, the State Council issued provisional statutory measures prohibiting the unautho-

rized excavation and export of precious cultural relics, including works of art and rare books. In
1953, the Council further required that all ancient tombs and sites discovered during construc-
tion be excavated by teams operating under the authority of the State Bureau of Cultural Relics
70
and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. As a result of effective and strict enforcement, smug-
gling and the illegal export of artifacts almost ceased between the 19508 and early 19708.
Archaeologists were able to work without fear of interference by intruders or plunderers.
Cultural relics, especially those already above ground and those in private collections,
were hardly exempt from politics, though. Many works of art were lost, particularly during the

37 | M O D E R N C H I N E S E A R C H A E O L O G Y