Program overview
Cultural Heritage is an interdisciplinary field that combines history, archaeology, chemistry, art history, and materials science. Simply put, you'll study the various artifacts left by ancient people—from bronze vessels, ceramics, and paintings to ancient architecture—learning how to determine their age, authenticity, value, and how to preserve them longer. Core courses include Artifact Authentication, Conservation Techniques, Restoration, Museology, and Chinese Material Culture History. Many Chinese universities offer strong practical resources, such as Peking University, Fudan University, and Northwest University, which have artifact specimen rooms on campus and even collaborate directly with museums for classes. This program is ideal for students who are curious about history, have strong hands-on skills, and don't mind getting dusty (restoration sites often involve dust). If you enjoy "making artifacts speak," this major will be a great fit.