Abstract

This talk, based on my new book China’s Heritage through History, explores how China’s transition from empire to nation-state in the late 19th and early 20th centuries catalysed the development of heritage laws, archaeological methods, and museums as strategic responses to Western imperialism, wars, and the drive for national sovereignty. During this transformative period, the past was reconfigured as a vital political and social tool. China’s officials and intellectuals utilised archaeology and museology not only for the preservation of antiquities but also to craft modern cultural identity. The formalisation of heritage laws marked a significant shift, with antiquities evolving from imperial treasures to national heritage assets. Museums emerged as key public institutions for legitimising and showcasing the nation’s history, while archaeology provided the scientific basis for understanding and interpreting the past. These developments were part of China’s broader response to Western imperialism, particularly the looting of cultural artefacts, and demonstrated the country’s determination to assert its sovereignty. By reclaiming its past and integrating it into a modern narrative, China engaged with global heritage discourses as both a protector and interpreter of its own history. This talk illustrates how the heightened awareness, recognition, and dissemination of national heritage to the public were central to China’s integration into the global context.

Please join the meeting via the following Teams link: https://bit.ly/3UlHEM6 Meeting ID: 385 350 806 767 Passcode: ocJCNo