Taking Silk Road science global

From a team of four members in the 1960s, the academy's conservation workforce has grown to nearly 200 people.

Mural conservation offers a telling example. China had long possessed traditional techniques, but many relied on artisans' personal experience rather than scientific analysis. Through collaboration with US experts, Chinese professionals gained a deeper understanding of the causes of mural deterioration. They refined their methods through scientific research, transforming experience-based practices into science-based conservation.

The cooperation also helped improve procedures. Overseas experts introduced a value-analysis step that Chinese professionals had previously overlooked, helping establish a comprehensive workflow for cultural heritage conservation: value analysis, on-site investigation, environmental monitoring, deterioration mechanism analysis, plan formulation and final implementation.

"Later, we applied these procedures to more than 300 cultural heritage projects across 21 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions, including the restoration of murals at the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Xizang autonomous region," says Guo. "When our methods are scientifically sound, we can largely ensure good outcomes."

Of the academy's three major technology systems, the conservation of earthen relics has posed the greatest challenge and remained a key focus for decades. Of China's 767,000 immovable cultural heritage sites, about one-third are earthen relics, many of which have been listed as World Heritage sites.

"Made of earth, such relics are relatively fragile, as they are often exposed outdoors and can easily collapse or weather, leading to their fast disappearance, along with the precious historical information they carry," Guo says. "Protection of earthen sites is a world-class challenge."

The academy's attempt to protect such sites started in 1992. Early attempts involved adding chemical consolidating materials. Later, geotechnical engineering techniques, such as grouting reinforcement, were introduced, gradually evolving into a comprehensive system. The system has been successfully applied to the Jiaohe Ruins in Turpan, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, since 2006, and the Xixia Imperial Tombs in Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui autonomous region, since 1999, both of which are on the World Heritage List.