The Cultural Heritage and Museology at the School of Art and Archaeology, Zhejiang University, boasts a distinguished academic tradition and a robust trajectory of development. Prior to 1949, Zhejiang University had already established an archaeology discipline, with renowned scholars such as Xia Nai, Sha Menghai, Wu Dingliang, Xiang Da, and Zhong Jingwen serving on its faculty. These pioneers mentored a generation of prominent figures in cultural heritage, museology, and archaeology, including Wang Zhongshu, Shi Xingbang, Huang Shengzhang, and Mao Zhaoxi.
Over the years, the program has adhered to an educational philosophy emphasizing strong foundations, practical experience, interdisciplinary integration, and innovative approaches. It has cultivated a cohort of high-caliber professionals while developing distinctive academic strengths in museum management, exhibition design, artifact appraisal, and cultural heritage preservation. The program’s research achievements—such as “Museum Theory Research,” “Multimedia Management Systems for Artifacts,” “Museum Exhibition Planning and Design,” “Evaluation Systems for Museum Architecture,” “Research on the History of Chinese Material Civilization,” and “Calligraphy and Painting Authentication”—combine theoretical and practical dimensions and are recognized.
As advanced, even leading, within the field in China. Several research projects have been closely integrated with museum construction across regions, yielding significant impact. Notably, some initiatives have set benchmarks for the modernization and digitalization of museums.
The program is supported by extensive teaching and research resources. It houses key platforms such as the National Alliance for Technological Innovation in Cultural Heritage Conservation and the National Research Base for the Digital Conservation of Grotto Temple Heritage under the National Cultural Heritage Administration. The program has established strong collaborative relationships with cultural and archaeological institutions across China, while also maintains close partnerships with renowned universities and cultural institutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Australia, Israel, and Japan.
Zhejiang University has also established the Art and Archaeology Museum to further support academic development. The program offers doctoral and master’s degrees in archaeology, as well as a master’s program in Cultural Heritage and Museology. These resources provide strong support for discipline development, talent cultivation, and opportunities for career advancement and further education.