The Management of Cultural Heritage in China

Few countries boast a history which is as long and rich as China's; at the same time, few countries are undergoing economic transformation processes comparable to that which China is currently experiencing. New managerial problems accompany the modernization of activities in archaeological discovery and research, conservation and promotion, calling for a profound understanding.

This book focuses on the analysis of change processes regarding managerial aspects in the processes of archaeological discoveries, restoration, museum definition and access to cultural heritage in China. The focus is not per se on the archaeological discoveries in their historical and artistics meanings, nor on the conservation and restoration in their technical, scientific, and methodological repercussions; nor finally on the evolution of the museology per se. Rather, the core of the analysis, the specific perspective is on how these dynamics pose new managerial problems and address new solutions. 

The first part of the book reconstructs the context of the normative evolution at the central and peripheral level (provinces) which is relevant for any organization operating in China's cultural heritage sector, plus a discussion about the evolution and professional debates at the national level within various activities involved.

The second part provides an in-depth micro view, focuses on Luoyang municipality, one of the historical capital cities in ancient China for thirteen dynasties. Drawing on a general management perspective, both the point of view of the Cultural Relics Bureau as a centre of the municipal level, and in-depth case histories of individual organizations in the area are investigated.

Table of Contents for 'The Management of Cultural Heritage in China'

Part A: Managing Heritage in China: General Context and Major Trends (chapters 1-7)

1. Market Economy and the Transformation of the Public Sector: Some General Issues for Cultural Heritage Analysis (Luca Zan)
2. Sustantial Progress and Important Impacts: Achievements, Problems and Policy Response in the Administration of Chinese Cultural Heritage (Shuguang Liu)
3. Museums and Museology in China: Evolution and Debates (Laishun An)
4. Chinese Archaeology in the 20th Century and Beyond (Bingwu Cao)
5. Tradition and Development of Cultural Heritage Protection and Conservation in China (Changfa Zhan)
6. The Development of Chinese Tourism (Tao Luo)
7. Overview of Cultural Heritage in the City of Luoyang (Yinqiang Guo)

Part B: Managing the Archaological Chain: Field Analysis in the Luoyang Municipality by Luca Zan & Sara Bonini Baraldi (chapters 8-17)

8. The Crucial Role of Local Government in Managing the Archaeological Chain: the Cultural Relics Bureau of Luoyang (Luca Zan & Sara Bonini Baraldi)
9. The Organization of Excavation Activities: Archaeological Teams n.1 & n. 2 
10. The 'Happy Ending' Case of Heritage Preservation: the New Museum of 'Horse & Chariot'
11. Old Problems and New Projects: Opportunities and Risks for the Luoyang Museum
12. Technological Challenges and Visitor Problems in Site Reconstruction: the Ancient Tombs Museum
13. Good Visitor Performance and Financial Mismanagement in Guan Lin
14. Organizational, Technological and Market Complexities in Preserving the Han & Wei Site
15. Institutional and Organizational Issues in the Most Important Site of Luoyang: the Longmen Grottoes
16. Cultural Heritage at the County Level: the Case of the Yanshi Administration
17. A Preliminary Recap: Major Issues in Managing Cultural Heritage from Field Research

Concluding remarks
Yinqiang Guo, Luca Zan & Shuguang Liu