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After one and a half days of presentations and voting by a 21-judge jury， China’s top 10 archaeological discoveries in 2013 were announced by the Institute of Archaeology under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing on April 9. The top 10 findings， including cemeteries， architectural sites and ancient passages， dated from 1，100 B.C. to the ninth century A.D.， are of great significance for the project of redefining the lost parts of China’s history.
However， archaeologists have found that some of these findings had been robbed before they were able to be excavated. A site in disarray always puts archaeologists in an awkward posi- tion. In fact， the plundering of ancient tombs has been rampant for years， a phenomenon which has proved a constant thorn in the side of archaeologists and the authorities.
Too late？
Lei Xingshan， a professor of archaeology at Peking University， admitted that the protection of historical relics faces serious challenges from grave robbers.
Lei said he had heard people claim that grave robbers always seem to uncover historic tombs sooner than archaeologists， who then have to fix the damage caused by the robbers’ intrusions. Some people tend to think that tomb robbers have a “better nose” for locating historical sites. Treasures are dug out by robbers first， and all that remains for archaeologists to unearth is only broken utensils and bricks.
“Such sentiments represent a very onesided understanding of our work，” Lei said. In fact， there are a series of strict procedures for archaeologists to follow in unearthing buried relics. First of all， scientists must map out a detailed and prudent plan regarding excavation for the purpose of protecting relics. Only by acquiring the permission of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage can archaeologists commence excavation. In a bid to better protect artifacts， archaeologists would sometimes rather leave relics underground than dig them out， Lei said.
Certainly， archaeologists are compelled to do a rescue excavation when a site containing buried relics has been damaged by natural forces or human factors， including grave robbery， Lei said.
Despite a slight rise recently， the number of proposed excavations currently falls short of 100. However， there have been an increasing number of rescue excavations in recent years， because grave robbers have damaged many ancient tombs and relics. Archaeologists have to evaluate the damage caused first. “At present， protection is the No.1 rule when it comes to the excavation of relics，” Lei said.
Using information gleaned in the last few years from a thrice-conducted nationwide survey， archaeologists have established a database for most cultural relics located both aboveground and underground in the country. But even the process of scientific excavation itself carries the potential to cause damage to buried relics. The more people dig， the more damage they do. Although archaeologists are very curious about historic relics， they are prudent in the matter of unearthing them. Until better technologies for preservation are developed， archaeologists have to adopt a conservative method toward protecting these buried relics， Lei said.
Smart robbers？
In action-adventure movies， grave robbers are always depicted as a group of mercenary individuals equipped with a working knowledge of history， and a neat range of sophisticated tools.
“Actually， they are not that cool，” Lei said.“Grave robbers look for ancient tombs everywhere. There is not much technology involved. Additionally， it does not really require much knowledge of culture. Anyone can master the basics after undergoing a few hours of practice.”
Grave robbers use a special tool called a“Luoyang shovel.” It is an effective probe tool for seeking buried relics. The shovel can be used to excavate a sample of the earth lying deep underground. Simply by observing the soil’s color and texture， one can tell whether there is a tomb under the earth’s surface， and which historical period the tomb was built in. The Luoyang shovel is a tool also employed by archaeologists.
The criminal of grave robbing in China has been rampant since the 1980s. There is a saying among tomb robbers that an artifact from an ancient tomb can make one rich overnight. In the beginning， tomb robbery was a standalone activity. Then they formed gangs with clear divisions of labor. Today， grave robbery has evolved to encapsulate a whole series of crime， from the theft of relics to smuggling of such items across borders.
Grave robbers always commit their crimes silently under the cover of darkness at night. They burrow holes with Luoyang shovels at places where relics are potentially buried. The shovel can go as deep as 20 meters. Every deep hole will be destructive to the possible tomb uncovered and to the environment. When it rains， water will pour into the holes and leak into the coffin chamber， causing untold damage to buried artifacts. “More often than not， we resort to preservation instead of excavation when we find a historical site. We know that excavation can sometimes mean destruction. Therefore， we try to carry out excavations as rarely as possible. But grave robbers care for nothing except their own profits，” Lei said.
Mission impossible？
The Central Government and local authorities have spared no efforts in fighting against grave robbery and other criminal acts concerning cultural relics protection. A protection network has been established across the country. The network consists of police， archaeologists and volunteers. In some places， especially where historical heritage is abundant， the collaboration mechanism has proved to be effective. For example， the 30-square km site of the capital city of the ancient Zhou Dynasty （1046-256 B.C.）， situated in northwest China’s Shaanxi Province， is currently under the watchful eye of 40 local volunteers.
With a 5，000-year history of civilization， China boasts a large number of sites with historical significance. Therefore， it is very difficult to maintain constant vigilance and to achieve maximum coverage in protecting its cultural heritage as not every site is covered by the protection network. Mistakes and oversights are inevitable under these conditions. In particular， some local governments lack the necessary funding and manpower to ensure the integrity of buried treasures.
Faced with such grim situation， the Central Government has vowed to devote more money and efforts to safeguarding precious artifacts.
The State Administration of Cultural Heritage （SACH） carried out the third general survey of cultural relics nationwide between 2007 and 2011. According to SACH statistics， over 40，000 historic heritage sites have disappeared off the map in recent years.
In addition to robbery， many of these sites have been devastated by the fast-spreading infrastructure construction， Lei said. Some local officials give priority to urban construction rather than to the preservation of historic relics. They think the preservation of cultural relics do not help grow local economy.
“Most certainly， they are wrong，” Lei said.“Our cultural heritage is the only remaining source of information that we can use for recording our civilization’s past. Through the study of the heritage of our ancient civilization， we can better understand our past， draw lessons from it and choose the right path for our future. If we lose our heritage， we risk losing the memories and spirit of our nation.”
However， archaeologists have found that some of these findings had been robbed before they were able to be excavated. A site in disarray always puts archaeologists in an awkward posi- tion. In fact， the plundering of ancient tombs has been rampant for years， a phenomenon which has proved a constant thorn in the side of archaeologists and the authorities.
Too late？
Lei Xingshan， a professor of archaeology at Peking University， admitted that the protection of historical relics faces serious challenges from grave robbers.
Lei said he had heard people claim that grave robbers always seem to uncover historic tombs sooner than archaeologists， who then have to fix the damage caused by the robbers’ intrusions. Some people tend to think that tomb robbers have a “better nose” for locating historical sites. Treasures are dug out by robbers first， and all that remains for archaeologists to unearth is only broken utensils and bricks.
“Such sentiments represent a very onesided understanding of our work，” Lei said. In fact， there are a series of strict procedures for archaeologists to follow in unearthing buried relics. First of all， scientists must map out a detailed and prudent plan regarding excavation for the purpose of protecting relics. Only by acquiring the permission of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage can archaeologists commence excavation. In a bid to better protect artifacts， archaeologists would sometimes rather leave relics underground than dig them out， Lei said.
Certainly， archaeologists are compelled to do a rescue excavation when a site containing buried relics has been damaged by natural forces or human factors， including grave robbery， Lei said.
Despite a slight rise recently， the number of proposed excavations currently falls short of 100. However， there have been an increasing number of rescue excavations in recent years， because grave robbers have damaged many ancient tombs and relics. Archaeologists have to evaluate the damage caused first. “At present， protection is the No.1 rule when it comes to the excavation of relics，” Lei said.
Using information gleaned in the last few years from a thrice-conducted nationwide survey， archaeologists have established a database for most cultural relics located both aboveground and underground in the country. But even the process of scientific excavation itself carries the potential to cause damage to buried relics. The more people dig， the more damage they do. Although archaeologists are very curious about historic relics， they are prudent in the matter of unearthing them. Until better technologies for preservation are developed， archaeologists have to adopt a conservative method toward protecting these buried relics， Lei said.
Smart robbers？
In action-adventure movies， grave robbers are always depicted as a group of mercenary individuals equipped with a working knowledge of history， and a neat range of sophisticated tools.
“Actually， they are not that cool，” Lei said.“Grave robbers look for ancient tombs everywhere. There is not much technology involved. Additionally， it does not really require much knowledge of culture. Anyone can master the basics after undergoing a few hours of practice.”
Grave robbers use a special tool called a“Luoyang shovel.” It is an effective probe tool for seeking buried relics. The shovel can be used to excavate a sample of the earth lying deep underground. Simply by observing the soil’s color and texture， one can tell whether there is a tomb under the earth’s surface， and which historical period the tomb was built in. The Luoyang shovel is a tool also employed by archaeologists.
The criminal of grave robbing in China has been rampant since the 1980s. There is a saying among tomb robbers that an artifact from an ancient tomb can make one rich overnight. In the beginning， tomb robbery was a standalone activity. Then they formed gangs with clear divisions of labor. Today， grave robbery has evolved to encapsulate a whole series of crime， from the theft of relics to smuggling of such items across borders.
Grave robbers always commit their crimes silently under the cover of darkness at night. They burrow holes with Luoyang shovels at places where relics are potentially buried. The shovel can go as deep as 20 meters. Every deep hole will be destructive to the possible tomb uncovered and to the environment. When it rains， water will pour into the holes and leak into the coffin chamber， causing untold damage to buried artifacts. “More often than not， we resort to preservation instead of excavation when we find a historical site. We know that excavation can sometimes mean destruction. Therefore， we try to carry out excavations as rarely as possible. But grave robbers care for nothing except their own profits，” Lei said.
Mission impossible？
The Central Government and local authorities have spared no efforts in fighting against grave robbery and other criminal acts concerning cultural relics protection. A protection network has been established across the country. The network consists of police， archaeologists and volunteers. In some places， especially where historical heritage is abundant， the collaboration mechanism has proved to be effective. For example， the 30-square km site of the capital city of the ancient Zhou Dynasty （1046-256 B.C.）， situated in northwest China’s Shaanxi Province， is currently under the watchful eye of 40 local volunteers.
With a 5，000-year history of civilization， China boasts a large number of sites with historical significance. Therefore， it is very difficult to maintain constant vigilance and to achieve maximum coverage in protecting its cultural heritage as not every site is covered by the protection network. Mistakes and oversights are inevitable under these conditions. In particular， some local governments lack the necessary funding and manpower to ensure the integrity of buried treasures.
Faced with such grim situation， the Central Government has vowed to devote more money and efforts to safeguarding precious artifacts.
The State Administration of Cultural Heritage （SACH） carried out the third general survey of cultural relics nationwide between 2007 and 2011. According to SACH statistics， over 40，000 historic heritage sites have disappeared off the map in recent years.
In addition to robbery， many of these sites have been devastated by the fast-spreading infrastructure construction， Lei said. Some local officials give priority to urban construction rather than to the preservation of historic relics. They think the preservation of cultural relics do not help grow local economy.
“Most certainly， they are wrong，” Lei said.“Our cultural heritage is the only remaining source of information that we can use for recording our civilization’s past. Through the study of the heritage of our ancient civilization， we can better understand our past， draw lessons from it and choose the right path for our future. If we lose our heritage， we risk losing the memories and spirit of our nation.”