The basic concept of cultural relics

Nowadays, people mostly refer to things left over from ancient times as cultural relics, but there is not yet a clear definition of what exactly is a cultural relic.

The Modern Chinese Dictionary calls cultural relics, "Things left over from history that have value in the history of cultural development, such as buildings, inscriptions, tools, weapons, household utensils and various works of art." The Dictionary explains cultural relics as, "Historical and cultural relics remaining in society or buried underground, generally including: (1) buildings, sites, monuments, etc. with commemorative significance and historical value related to major historical events, revolutionary movements and important figures: (2) ancient cultural sites, ancient tomb complexes, ancient buildings of historical, artistic and scientific value, cave temples, stone carvings, etc.; (3) valuable works of art, arts and crafts of various eras, (4) revolutionary literature and ancient books and materials of historical, artistic and scientific value; (5) representative objects reflecting the social system, social production and social life of various eras.On November 19, 1982, the Standing Committee of the Fifth National People's Congress, at its 25th meeting, adopted the "Protection Law of the People of the People of China *** and State Law on the Protection of Cultural Relics, Article 2, which clearly stipulates the scope of protection of cultural relics: "Within the territory of the People's Republic of China, the following cultural relics of historical, artistic, and scientific value are subject to state protection:

(1) Ancient cultural relics of historical, artistic, and scientific value, ancient burial sites, ancient tombs, ancient buildings, grottoes and temples, and stone carvings;

(b) buildings, sites and monuments related to major historical events, revolutionary movements and famous figures with important commemorative significance, educational significance and historical value;

(c) precious works of art, arts and crafts of various eras of history;

(d) important revolutionary literature and materials, as well as manuscripts and old books and materials of historical, artistic and scientific value;

(e) ancient cultural sites with historical, artistic and scientific value.

(v) representative objects reflecting the social system, social production and social life of various eras and nationalities in history.

Article 2 of the Law on the Protection of Cultural Relics also stipulates that "ancient vertebrate fossils and ancient human fossils of scientific value shall be protected by the state as cultural relics."

In the above provisions of the Law on the Protection of Cultural Relics, the scope of state protection of cultural relics is very clear. We believe that the scope of state protection of cultural relics, that is, the content of cultural relics included.

From this, we can make the following points clear: First, cultural relics generally have the value of history, art and science. Specifically to each piece of cultural relics, not necessarily have the value of the three aspects, but at least one aspect of the value, otherwise it can not be called cultural relics.

Secondly, cultural relics should be important and representative objects. Without this, they are not suitable for protection as cultural relics.

Thirdly, the cultural relics under state protection are extensive and should be representative objects reflecting the social system, social production, social life, culture, art, science and technology of successive generations. All aspects of cultural relics have extensive and close links between them. Only by comprehensively protecting all aspects of cultural relics can the value of cultural relics not be damaged.

So far, we can make an answer to what is cultural relics. Cultural relics are relics and monuments of historical, artistic and scientific value left behind in human social activities. It can also be said that it is the remains of material and spiritual culture in history, with historical, artistic and scientific value, is an important cultural heritage.

Criteria for grading cultural relics

I. First-class cultural relics

1. Representative cultural relics reflecting China's various historical periods and relations of production as well as its economic and political systems, and the development of related social history.

2. Representative cultural relics reflecting the development of productive forces, the progress of production technology and scientific inventions and creations.

3. Representative cultural relics reflecting the social and historical development of various ethnic groups and the promotion of national unity and the maintenance of the unity of the motherland.

4, representative cultural relics reflecting the working people's resistance to economic exploitation, political oppression, and the famous uprising leaders.

5. Representative cultural relics reflecting the friendly exchanges between China and foreign countries and mutual exchanges in politics, economy, military, education, science and technology, culture and sports.

6, representative cultural relics reflecting the historical events and important historical figures of the Chinese nation in resisting foreign invasion and resisting aggression.

7, representative cultural relics reflecting famous thinkers, scientists, inventors, politicians, militarists, educators, literati, artists and famous craftsmen of all times.

8, representative cultural relics of particularly significant historical, artistic and scientific value reflecting the living customs, culture and art, arts and crafts, and religious beliefs of various ethnic groups.

9, representative good books of Chinese old and ancient books.

10, representative cultural relics reflecting the major events and the revolutionary practice activities of outstanding leaders and figures in the relevant international ****productivist movement, as well as internationalist fighters who have made significant contributions to the Chinese Revolution.

11, representative cultural relics reflecting the major historical events, leading figures and famous martyrs since the establishment of the Chinese ****anist Party and its related major historical events.

12, representative cultural relics reflecting major events, important figures and patriotic compatriots and social celebrities of Chinese parties and organizations.

13, other representative of domestic and foreign cultural relics with particularly important historical, artistic and scientific value.