A team of 12 experts with different academic backgrounds assembled in Hongdong county, Shanxi province on Nov 15 to investigate the Fangdui-Yongningbao relic.

This team was organized by Shanxi Institute of Archeology through public recruitment across the country, covering research fields such as hydrology, geology and folk customs.

“It’s the first time for Chinese archeology to recruit professionals from the public to investigate a relic. It marks a transfer from the old model to one where the public shares in the process,” said Wang Renshuang, a head of the Society of Chinese Archeology, adding that “it’s prospective and a stir to the Chinese archeological scene.”

Located in the middle of Hongdong county, the Fangdui-Yongningbao relic is renowned for the large amount of archeological discoveries, which date back to Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770-256BC) and?have great significance for archeological research.

However, this relic is suffering from damage and grave robbing. It’s pressing to figure out a scientific way for the relic’s protection, therefore, the Shanxi Institute of Archeology decided to recruit professionals throughout the country in mid-October.