2023 Henan Provincial Symposium on Science and Technology for Cultural Heritage Conservation

To serve the overall development of China’s cultural heritage conservation, promote multidisciplinary collaboration, and accelerate the all-round development of science and technology in cultural heritage preservation, the 2023 Henan Provincial Symposium on Science and Technology for Cultural Heritage Conservation was held from January 23 to 26, 2024, in Zhengzhou, capital of Henan province in north-central China. Under the theme “Multidisciplinary Collaborative Innovation in Science and Technology for Cultural Heritage Conservation,” the symposium focused on addressing hotspot and challenging issues in cultural heritage conservation across the province. Through academic exchanges and experience summarization, the event aimed to make major headway in advancing scholarship and cultivating personnel in the scientific and technological protection of cultural heritage, contributing insights and strength to the advancement of science and technology in Henan’s cultural heritage conservation efforts.

Opening Ceremony Scene

Under the guidance of the Henan Provincial Administration of Cultural Heritage (HPACH), the meeting was hosted by the Cultural Relics and Archaeological Society of Henan and the Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Heritage and Archaeology (HPICHA), and organized by the Training Base for Cultural Heritage Talents and the Key Scientific Research Base of Urban Archaeology and Conservation of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, the Collections Preservation Committee under the Museum Institute of Henan, the Key Scientific Research Base for Preservation of Earthen Sites of the HPACH, and the Henan Provincial Center for Conservation (HPCC).

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Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony was presided over by Chen Jiachang, Deputy Director of the HPICHA. Distinguished attendees included Ren Wei, Director of the HPACH, and Liu Haiwang, Executive Chairman of the Cultural Relics and Archaeological Society of Henan and Director of the HPICHA, both of whom delivered welcome remarks. Meng Yang, Deputy Director of the Cultural Relics Science and Technology and External Cooperation and Exchange Department under the HPACH, also attended the ceremony upon invitation.

Ren Wei, Director of the HPACH

Meng Yang, Deputy Director of the Cultural Relics Science and Technology and External Cooperation and Exchange Department under the HPACH

Liu Haiwang, Director of the HPICHA

Chen Jiachang, Deputy Director of the HPICHA

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Key Presentations

Chen Jiachang presented a keynote report titled “Progress and Prospects in Conservation Research by the HPCC.”

Du An, Deputy Director of the Cultural Relics Protection Research Center at Henan Museum, presented a keynote report titled “Recent Developments and Overview of the Cultural Relics Protection Research Center.”

Professor Huang Xia from Zhengzhou University presented a keynote report titled “Intelligent Responsive Modular Design and Application of Protective Materials for Fragile Bronze Artifacts.”

Associate Professor Li Xinming from Zhongyuan University of Technology presented a keynote report titled “Environmental Erosion Resistance Mechanisms and Long-Term Evolution of Lime-Metakaolin Modified Archaeological Soil for Cultural Heritage Conservation.”

Additionally, academic reports showcasing the latest research achievements were delivered by representatives from institutions including: the HPCC, the Henan Provincial Research Institute for Ancient Architecture Conservation, the Longmen Grottoes Academy, the Information Engineering University of the People’s Liberation Army Strategic Support Force, the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Northwest University, the Wuhan University of Science and Technology, the Zhumadian Municipal Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, and the Luoyang Museum of Ancient Tombs.

The event also saw participation from representatives of cultural heritage institutions in prefecture-level cities across Henan.

Group Photo

(Reviewed by Liu Haiwang | Author: Chen Zhen | Photography by Hou Peishuai)