NCCnovel Chapter 124 Su Xuan's Archaeology: Exploring the Professional Treasures Deep in History
Chapter 124 Su Xuan's Archaeology: Exploring the Professional Treasures Deep in History
Su Xuan was invited to give a lecture at the History Department of Sichuan University.
Su Xuan paused briefly on the podium, her gaze sweeping over the pairs of curious and expectant eyes below the stage, before continuing, "Students, the career paths after graduating with a history degree are much broader than you can imagine."
"For example, the field of cultural heritage protection welcomes history majors like us. When you participate in the restoration of ancient buildings, it's like traveling through time and conversing with the ancients. Those mottled city walls and ancient temples all bear the marks of time. You need to use your historical knowledge to interpret the stories behind them, determine the restoration plan, and allow these precious heritages to continue their lives and regain their brilliance. Just like the ancient city wall restoration project in a certain place, our history professionals accurately restored a long-lost watchtower on the city wall by consulting a large number of ancient books, so that the historical features of the ancient city wall can be presented to the world more completely."
"Also, the publishing and editing industry is a good choice. If you have a keen sense of language and solid historical knowledge, you can participate in the editing and publishing of history books, textbooks, or cultural publications. From reviewing and proofreading manuscripts to planning and arranging content, your professional skills are needed to ensure quality. For example, that bestselling popular history series was carefully crafted by several editors with history backgrounds. They transformed obscure historical materials into stories that the public enjoys, allowing more people to understand the charm of history."
"Let's talk about the education industry. More and more people are realizing the importance of history education. Whether you're a history teacher in a primary or secondary school, or teaching history-related courses in various educational institutions, you can pass on what you've learned to the next generation. By telling historical events in a vivid and interesting way, you can stimulate students' interest in history and cultivate their critical thinking and cultural identity. I know a young teacher who turned the history classroom into a role-playing stage, letting students play historical figures and recreate major historical events. The students' enthusiasm for history classes immediately soared, and their learning outcomes improved significantly."
"In addition, there are many suitable positions in cultural institutions such as museums and cultural centers. You can work in the management and research of cultural relics, or you can serve as a guide to tell the audience the historical stories behind the cultural relics. When you see the audience being attracted by the history you tell, and their eyes showing respect and love for culture, the sense of accomplishment is unparalleled. Just like in the National Museum, those excellent guides, with their profound historical knowledge and excellent expression skills, bring cultural relics to life and make them a window for the audience to understand Chinese history and culture."
"Of course, there are also opportunities for history majors in the emerging cultural tourism industry. You can participate in the planning of historical and cultural tourism routes, explore little-known historical sites and cultural attractions, and design tourism products with depth and meaning. Or you can serve as tour guides, leading tourists through the long river of history and experiencing the cultural charm of different regions. For example, in the tourism development of a certain ancient town, a professional history team delved into the local folk culture and historical stories, creating a unique folk experience tour, which attracted a large number of tourists and promoted the inheritance of local culture and economic development."
Su Xuan's words were like beams of light, illuminating the confusion and uncertainty the students felt about the future, and showing them the broad and promising career prospects for history majors after graduation. The students listened attentively, frequently jotting down key information in their notebooks, their eyes filled with anticipation and hope for the future.
Su Xuan took a sip of water, cleared her throat, and continued, "Next, I'll talk to you in detail about the mysterious and fascinating field of archaeology. Archaeological work is not just simple digging; it's a deep dialogue with history. Every time a shovel falls, it may uncover a story buried by time."
"When you step into an archaeological site, it's like entering a time capsule. First, archaeologists must conduct meticulous field surveys, which requires keen observation and solid historical and geographical knowledge. Just like searching for lost ancient cities in a vast desert, they determine the areas where ruins might exist by studying ancient records, topography, and local legends. Once, an archaeological team, based on the route map of the ancient Silk Road and local merchant stories, found a small ancient post station site in a barren sandy area, providing valuable material evidence for the study of trade and transportation at that time."
"During the excavation process, extreme caution is required, much like disassembling a precision instrument. From clearing thick layers of soil to discovering even the slightest clues to artifacts, every step demands immense patience and focus. Even a broken piece of pottery or a rusty iron nail can contain crucial historical information. For instance, in the excavation of an ancient tomb, a seemingly ordinary epitaph helped archaeologists determine the identity and era of the tomb's occupant, thus connecting the political, cultural, and social life of that period. Moreover, with the continuous advancement of technology, archaeological work has incorporated many modern techniques. For example, using drones for site mapping and panoramic photography, and employing high-precision detectors to locate underground remains and artifacts, these technologies make archaeological work more efficient and precise."
"After cultural relics are unearthed, the subsequent protection and research work is equally crucial. Cultural relic protection experts must take swift measures to prevent further damage to the relics, which involves knowledge from multiple disciplines such as materials science and chemistry. For fragile silk fabrics, special environments and technologies are needed to maintain the stability of their fibers; for bronzes, the problem of corrosion must be properly addressed, while their casting techniques and cultural connotations are studied. Each cultural relic is a unique historical witness, through which we can glimpse the lives, beliefs, artistic aesthetics, and technological levels of the ancients."
"Furthermore, the compilation and publication of archaeological findings is also an important task. Writing detailed archaeological reports on the excavation process, artifact information, and research results, and sharing them with colleagues in the academic community, helps to promote the development of the entire archaeological field and allows the public to learn about these precious historical discoveries. So, students, if you choose the path of archaeology, you are embarking on a journey full of surprises and challenges to unearth those historical treasures hidden underground and contribute your strength to the inheritance and development of human civilization."
Su Xuan's narration made the students feel as if they were there, experiencing the hardships and glory of archaeological work. Many students' eyes shone with eagerness, and they were filled with longing for this ancient yet emerging profession.