(TibetanReview.net, Oct13’24) – Chinese archaeologists have discovered 301 immovable cultural relics, comprising sites of ancient culture, tombs, buildings, grotto temples, inscriptions and historical landmarks, in Shigatse city of Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), reported China’s official chinadaily.com.cn Oct 11, citing the state Xinhua News Agency.
China is known to Sinicize even archaeological discoveries in Tibet and areas such as East Turkestan (Xinjiang) by falsely explaining them as belonging to their contemporary Chinese dynasties in post facto justifications of its current rule over these territories. Its false narratives seek to “prove” that Tibet and East Turkestan had been parts of China since ancient times.
The report did not say what exact discoveries had been made, which may entail giving the false explanation. It only said the discovery work was carried out in 18 counties and districts in Shigatse over the past few months as part of the second phase of the fourth national cultural relics census in TAR.
The report cited the cultural and tourism bureau of Shigatse as saying that 1,088 cultural sites had been surveyed in the city thus far, and their related data has been collected.
Phuntsok Darje, deputy director of the cultural relics protection and archaeological research centre at the bureau, has “highlighted the profound significance of the city’s cultural heritage and the diversity of those immovable cultural resources.”
The report said the ongoing cultural relics census in TAR will include a comprehensive review of the 4,277 immovable cultural relics identified and registered during the third census.
The report added that simultaneous efforts were being made to investigate, identify and register immovable cultural relics that weren’t recorded in previous censuses, including those discovered since 2012.