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Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Heritage and development of Tonglushan mine site

Figure 5. Key features of the Tonglushan Ancient Copper Mine Site Museum. Source: Photos by the author (2016)

yuan per person. Discounts are available for seniors The special protection plan significantly expanded
and minors in accordance with national policies, the planning scope of the Tonglushan ancient mine site
while residents of the Tonglushan area can visit at half to 5.557 sqkm, a substantial increase from the 0.055
price upon presenting their identity cards. However, sqkm designated in the 1990s. Since 2011, staff from the
many locals perceive the admission fee as excessive, provincial Archeological Institute has conducted new
given the County’s economic conditions. Miners and archeological surveys and excavations within the planning
farmers, in particular, argue that the site museum area. These efforts uncovered new smelting sites, kiln
should be free for local residents, stating: “It used to sites, miners’ footprints, and a cemetery dating to the
be free before 2010, and if there had been no mining Spring and Autumn period (Hubei Provincial Institute
company, there would be no ancient copper mine of Cultural Relics and Archeology, 2013; 2015). Notably,
site” (Mr. C, personal communication, June 22, 2017). the discovery of the Sifangtang site marks the first ancient
Consequently, many residents visit the site museum miners’ cemetery found at a pre-Qin period (before 221
only when hosting guests. BCE) mining site in China. This significant discovery
Although precise visitor statistics are unavailable, field provides reliable evidence regarding the individuals who
surveys and interviews with ticket office employees suggest developed and used the Tonglushan ancient copper mine
that the museum receives approximately 30,000 visitors over the course of 1,000 years. More importantly, cultural
annually. Of these, roughly 30 percent are free visits relics unearthed during this round of excavations are
arranged for schools, institutions, government agencies, displayed in the Tonglushan Ancient Copper Mine Site
mining companies, and village committees. Museum, addressing the previously limited collection of
artifacts. While over 70 artifacts are currently housed in the
5.2. Formulation and implementation of the overall museum, more than 10,000 artifacts remain in municipal
planning for site protection and provincial museums. This development significantly
To preserve the Tonglushan ancient copper mine site and enriches the museum’s collection and improves its ability
promote the coordinated regional development of the to display local relics.
area, the Promotion Bureau commissioned a professional The protection plan identifies key deficiencies in the
organization to conduct research and formulate a cultural previous site museum, stating that it “has limited display
relic protection plan for the site. Serving as a guiding content, lacks effective touring route, does not adequately
and normative document for future efforts, the plan was convey the connotations of bronze culture, and fails to
approved and implemented by the State Administration of meet tourist needs” (THUPDI, 2011, p.7). To address these
Cultural Heritage in 2011. issues, constructing a new site museum building within

Volume 7 Issue 2 (2025) 8 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.4898