China, France to collaborate on relics, ruins protection

China's Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum and France's Foundation for Cultural Heritage Sciences have recently reached a cooperation agreement on the scientific research and protection of wooden relics and earthen ruins.

The research on wooden relics will involve joint efforts to preserve and restore burnt wood materials from the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and the Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum, as well as research on their historical significance.

Research on earthen ruins will involve studies on the durability, stability, production techniques, and damage mechanisms of the earthen ruins in the Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum and the use of soil materials as building elements in France.

The Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum and the Notre Dame Cathedral are globally renowned cultural heritage sites that have used significant amounts of wooden materials and have experienced fire damage in the past.

Research cooperation in cultural heritage preservation has always been one of the most dynamic highlights in Chinese-French cultural relations, with cultural institutions in Shaanxi playing a significant role. In recent years, cultural institutions in Shaanxi have carried out cooperative projects with France, as well as conducted joint conservation training.

Both China and France will develop detailed research plans within the framework established by the cooperation agreement.

Furthermore, taking advantage of this cooperative opportunity, both sides will jointly cultivate young talents in the field of sci-tech preservation of cultural heritage.