Protection takes precedence
To safeguard thousands of historical structures, villages and authorities work to renovate and transform heritage, Xu Lin reports in Shangrao, Jiangxi.
They consulted the Li clan genealogy, which revealed that Li was buried near the bridge. They then started to search for Li's tomb and discovered it based on villagers' clues. Based on survey findings, Li's descendants raised funds and repaired the tomb.
"The reexamination of Zhongshu Bridge yielded a significant discovery: the tomb of Li Kan. This finding tells us that a cultural relics census is not merely 'updating records' or 'registration', but involves verifying historical narratives, evaluating preservation statuses, and revealing the value of cultural heritage," Zhan says.
"Cultural relics carry rich historical information. Without proper records and protection, these invaluable memories risk fading into oblivion as time erodes their physical form and their stories."
