The Xi'an Branch of the International Centre on Space Technologies for Natural and Cultural Heritage under the Auspices of UNESCO (HIST) was officially established at Northwest University in Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi province, on May 28.

That same day, the Academic Seminar on Silk Road Heritage and Space Archaeology from An International Perspective was held.

The Xi'an Branch of HIST is established on May 28. [Photo/Xi'an news network]

HIST is the only UNESCO-designated global research center for world heritage based on space technology.

The Xi'an Branch of HIST aims to serve as an international platform for cultural heritage research, exploring how space information technology can empower Silk Road archaeology and the preservation, management, and sustainable development of cultural heritage.

The branch will thoroughly integrate and collaborate with the Collaborative Research Center for Archaeology of the Silk Roads, focusing on remote sensing archaeology, advancing space archaeology, fostering disciplinary innovation, and integrating ground, aerial, and satellite information.

It will also enhance and create new relevant theories and scientific methods in archaeological surveys, exploration, excavation, heritage monitoring, and digital preservation.

During the academic seminar, experts and scholars delivered keynote speeches on themes such as "Dialogues between Silk Road Heritage and Civilization" and "Scientific Paradigms and Discipline Development in Spatial Archaeology".

Participants also engaged in discussions and exchanges on topics including "Silk Road Archaeology and Heritage Preservation Research" and "Space Archaeology and Heritage Digitalization Research".