Study On The Conception Of Ancient Traces Rediscovered From Local Records In China

Under the influence of “authorized heritage discourse”, the China’s heritageconservation system is far from perfect due to the absence of local cultural genes. Forthis reason, this thesis focuses on the traditional concept of “ancient trace”(guji inChinese) which has its counterpart in western culture as “monument”. It traces back tothe origin of the word, and tries to describe the development, throughout the history ofChina, of its records intensively recorded in the ancient Chinese literature, especiallythe description of ancient traces in “local records”(fangzhi). And based on therecords and descriptions, reviews in local records, the thesis studies the ancient tracesfrom the aspects of connotation and extension, characteristics, categories, values andsocial functions as well as the attitude and notions about ancient trace behind thesurface. And this is reinforced by case studies at the end of the thesis.