The Jungwon National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage (Korea) Visited the Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Heritage and Archaeology

    On November 21st, a delegation from the Jungwon National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage (Korea) (JNRICH), comprising Senior Researcher Lee Boram, Researcher Goo Gyobeen, and Researcher Kim Minji, visited the Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Heritage and Archaeology (HPICHA) for an exchange. This visit marks another important mutual exchange since the establishment of cooperative relations between the two sides in 2012, infusing new vitality into the regularized exchanges in the field of cultural heritage.

    Liu Haiwang, the Director and Professor of the HPICHA, hosted the seat meeting. Director Liu Haiwang pointed out that the two sides have adhered to sending scholar visits on an annual basis, shared archaeological excavation results, and achieved fruitful cooperative achievements in fields such as ancient metallurgical technology, the dissemination of Central Plains culture, and urban archaeology and conservation, thus establishing a solid bridge for cross-cultural academic exchanges. Director Liu Haiwang also mentioned that both China and the Republic of Korea are important carriers of East Asian civilization; therefore, exchanges and cooperation in the field of cultural heritage enjoy inherent advantages. In the future, the HPICHA will continue to uphold the concept that “Civilizations thrive through exchanges and mutual learning,” forge more diverse and in-depth cooperation with the JNRICH, jointly protect the treasures of human culture, and contribute archaeological strength to promoting the building of a global community of shared future.

    Senior Researcher Lee Boram emphasized the concept that “Civilizations thrive through exchanges and mutual learning,” which is highly consistent with the original aspiration of both parties to promote research on East Asian civilizations. In the future, the JNRICH will actively respond to the initiative to deepen cooperation, fully promote pragmatic collaboration between the two sides in fields such as transnational archaeological data sharing, joint academic research, and exchange visits of scholars. Senior Researcher Lee Boram looked forward to working with the HPICHA through more diverse forms of cooperation, enabling the cultural heritage of the two countries to radiate more enduring splendor through mutual learning and contributing East Asian wisdom and strength to conserving the common civilizational wealth of humanity.

    After the seat meeting, the delegation, accompanied by staff from the International Cooperation and External Exchange Department and the Basic Research Department, visited the specimen exhibition room, the Scientific and Technological Archaeology Center, an exhibition of the history of the HPICHA, and the display windows. The first stop of the visit was the specimen exhibition room. He Shan, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation and External Exchange Department, collaborated with the exhibition room manager to provide detailed explanations on the three core categories of cultural relics in the collection—porcelain, bronzes, and pottery—vividly elaborating on the historical value and archaeological significance behind each relic.

    Later, the delegation visited the animal bone specimen repository of the Scientific and Technological Archaeology Center, where they learned about the processes of collecting, sorting, and identification of bone specimens as well as the profound historical significance embodied in these specimens. They also observed the practical application of 3D scanning technology in animal bone research.

    The third stop of the visit was an exhibition showing the history of the HPICHA. The staff took the establishment as the starting point, and systematically interpreted the development of the HPICHA. During the explanation, the staff also focused on introducing the sites excavated by the HPICHA that have been listed in the “Top 10 New Archaeological Discoveries in China” over the years and their related archaeological achievements. The interpretation also included the cultural value and artistic characteristics of the cultural relics unearthed from representative sites in different historical periods.

    At the last stop, the delegation appreciated and reflected on the themed window display that commemorated the 70th anniversary of the discovery of the Zhengzhou Shang Dynasty City Site. Through the detailed and diverse content presented in the windows, they gained a systematic understanding of the fruitful achievements made by the HPICHA in fields such as cultural relics excavation, site protection and utilization, and scientific research initiatives since the 70th anniversary of the discovery of the Zhengzhou Shang Dynasty City Site.

    This visit serves as a review and consolidation of the achievements from over a decade of exchanges and cooperation between the two sides in the field of cultural heritage. This visit also stands as a vital opportunity to map out the blueprint for deepening pragmatic cooperation in the future. Both parties unanimously express their expectation that, taking this in-depth interaction as a new starting point, they will continuously expand the breadth and depth of cultural heritage exchanges and mutual learning, and jointly write a more profound and splendid new chapter on the journey of research on East Asian civilizations and safeguarding the world’s cultural treasures.