Nestled beneath the Helan Mountains and overlooking the Yellow River and the vast Yinchuan Plain in Ningxia, northwest China, the Xixia Imperial Tombs bore witness to the rise and fall of the Xixia Dynasty (1038-1227). The site, spanning nearly 40 square kilometers, comprises nine imperial tombs, 271 subordinate tombs, 32 flood control relics, and ancient architectural remains — together forming the most significant, highest-ranking, and best-preserved archaeological remains of the Xixia period.

On July 11, the Xixia Imperial Tombs site was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List at the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Paris, France, becoming China's 60th World Heritage site. This milestone comes as China marks the 40th anniversary of joining the World Heritage Convention, consolidating its global leadership in cultural heritage preservation.

Modern technology has played a crucial role in protecting this invaluable heritage. Since the  application for World Heritage status for the tombs, extensive scientific research has been undertaken to safeguard the site.

The Ningxia local government initiated a project in 2023 to develop geophysical technologies for exploring and studying large archaeological sites. It used advanced geophysical methods, such as aerial and ground-based magnetic surveys, electromagnetic measurements, and cosmic-ray muon imaging, to conduct non-invasive explorations of the tombs. These techniques have provided new insights into the layout and structure of the tombs.

The tombs face environmental challenges due to their location in an arid region. Primarily built with rammed earth, they suffered erosion and cracking, threatening their stability. To combat this, a range of protective technologies were developed to stabilize the soil and address surface erosion.

These measures have been continuously refined since 2017, leading to the establishment of a comprehensive monitoring and early warning system, which tracks 99 key indicators for the site's preservation.

"AI combined with cultural relic protection and heritage research is a growing trend," said Du Jianlu, dean of the School of Ethnology and Historiography at Ningxia University. "For the Xixia Imperial Tombs, digitalization is essential."

The first steps, he explained, are creating high-resolution images and videos, then using existing research to build 3D models, reconstruct the tombs' historical appearance, and create large-scale virtual exhibitions. "This approach not only promotes cultural tourism but also reduces wear and tear on the actual site — offering a more advanced form of preservation and transmission."

Efforts to digitize the tombs and their relics are underway. Ningxia University is creating a digital archive of the tombs' artifacts which has over 400 cultural products. With these technological advancements, the Xixia Imperial Tombs are poised to be better protected and more widely celebrated in the future.