Leveraging heritage conservation for development: A case study of the Tonglushan ancient copper mine site in Daye, Hubei, China

The Tonglushan ancient copper mine site, the first mining and smelting archeological site discovered in China, holds significant value as evidence of advanced copper extraction techniques and sophisticated social organization in Chinese Bronze Age civilization, dating back thousands of years. However, its discovery during modern mining operations has raised persistent challenges over the past 50 years regarding the preservation of archeological remains, the methods of protecting them, and their potential utilization to drive coordinated urban and rural development in the region. Drawing on fieldwork conducted between 2016 and 2017 in the Tonglushan area, this study uses the local practice of protecting Tonglushan’s archeological heritage as a lens to explore the relationship between cultural heritage conservation and regional development. By examining the complex process of preserving or relocating archeological remains in situ, this article presents practical considerations within the context of China’s modern industrialization. As mineral resources become increasingly depleted and public interest in cultural heritage grows, the local government has sought to leverage archeological heritage as a catalyst for developing cultural tourism and achieving place-making. This study provides insights into transformation strategies for resource-dependent regions.