Page 52 - Manual for Activities directed at the Underwater Cultural Heritage

 © Baiheliang Museum. Right: Architectural model of the Baiheliang. Museum, Fuling, Chongqing, China.
Left: Baiheliang Museum, Fuling, Chongqing, China.
Baiheliang is an archaeological site in Fuling, China, now submerged under the waters of theYangtze River, raised by the newly built Three Gorges Dam. It displays some of the world’s oldest hydrological inscriptions, recording 1,200 years of changes in the water level of the Yangtze River. Among the world’s oldest hydrological inscriptions, the Baiheliang engravings record 1,200 years of changes in the water level of the Yangtze River in the north of the Fuling District of the Chongqing Municipality.The stone ridge is 1,600 m long and 15 m wide. It reaches 138 m at its peak height and is submerged under 43 m of water with the completion of the Three Gorges Dam.The Baiheliang museum offers access to those inscriptions under water. The museum construction is a fabulous first-world-wide example of the presentation of underwater cultural heritage in situ reachable by the non-diving visitor.
7 stresses that “public access to in situ underwater cultural heritage shall be promoted”. However, he- ritage is also an economic asset, adding to the quality of a region and its environment if it is known and accessible. In fact, there are many reasons for promoting public access and enjoyment.
Fundamental dilemmas
Nevertheless, public access to archaeological sites poses some dilemmas. This is particularly true for vulnerable or fragile sites, including those that have never been disturbed, and sites that are subject to careful but non-continuous investigation. The much debated dilemma arises on whether these sites should be the exclusive domain of archaeological researchers.
Public access calls for the resolving of dilemmas because:
• Heritage is fragile;
• Access may not be compatible with protection; and
• Access may not be compatible with management.
In resolving these dilemmas:
• Think of limitations as temporary;
• Avoid solutions of convenience;
• Develop guidance and strategies; and
• Make the best of heritage assets.
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General Principles