On October 1st, the “Regulations for the Protection of the Shuanghua Tree Site in Zhengzhou” officially went into effect, marking a significant milestone in legal protections for this remarkable site, which boasts a history spanning 5,300 years tied to the ancient “He Luo Kingdom.”
Nestled in Gongyi City within Zhengzhou, the Shuanghua Tree site represents a crucial archaeological find from the later phase of China’s Yangshao culture. Experts confirm that this carefully selected urban settlement dates back approximately 5,300 years and is often described as the “embryo of early Chinese civilization.” Its importance has been recognized both as one of the “Top Ten Archaeological Discoveries in China for 2020” and as part of the “Hundred Great Archaeological Discoveries of the Century in China.”
The newly instituted regulations, structured into 27 articles, mirror the unique characteristics of the local area. They establish a comprehensive management framework that involves Zhengzhou City, Gongyi City, and the local town, under the guidance of cultural heritage administration. The regulations clearly delineate the responsibilities of multiple departments—including education, public security, finance, natural resources planning, ecological environment, and urban construction—in the preservation of the Shuanghua Tree site.
These regulations identify the site’s protection targets, designate protected areas, and outline prohibited activities within both the protection and construction control zones. They also implement a tiered protection strategy tailored to the specific features of different zones.
In addition, the regulations introduce a safety supervision system, daily inspection protocols, and regional protective measures. The designated protection entity is mandated to create emergency response plans and elevate the frequency of inspections. Furthermore, the managing organization is required to set up a digital information management system to intelligently monitor the site’s condition and its surrounding environment. Community-based cultural heritage protection organizations are encouraged to boost public awareness and promote practices that safeguard the site.
On the topic of revitalizing and utilizing resources from the Shuanghua Tree site, the regulations advocate for educational institutions, research organizations, and scholars to investigate the site’s cultural significance and contemporary relevance. They also support the use of archaeological parks and museums for educational, teaching, and research-oriented social practice activities. The Gongyi City government is expected to create a multifaceted operational mechanism to promote the sustainable use of the site’s cultural relics and foster a distinctive cultural and tourism industry.
“In recent years, we have made significant strides through ongoing excavations at the Shuanghua Tree site,” stated Gu Wanfa, Director of the Zhengzhou Cultural Relics Bureau. He highlighted that the new regulations will bolster protection, management, and usage of the site, ensuring its authenticity and integrity while enhancing its status as a symbol of Chinese civilization and driving high-quality development through strong legal safeguards.
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