文章通过对建筑遗产本质的分析指出,建筑遗产保护的关键在于能否准确判断建筑遗产的历史价值,而判断建筑遗产历史价值最基本的学术工具是建筑考古学。文章从研究对象及学科目标等角度,分析了建筑考古学、考古学和建筑史学的关系,由此对建筑考古学进行定位,并明确其当前主要研究任务。最后,文章介绍了北京大学考古文博学院文物建筑专业的建筑考古学学科发展概况,并以山西的万荣稷王庙大殿和长子韩坊尧王庙大殿为例,介绍了建筑考古学的研究实践,论证了经过历史检验的建筑考古学形制断代所能达到的精度水平,以及在年代研究精细化之后,建筑遗产的历史价值、研究价值及史料价值所能出现的巨大改变,以及由此衍生出的研究潜能。

At the Celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Founding of the Institute of Archaeology, CASS, and the Opening Ceremony of the “Chinese Archaeology and World Archaeology in the 21st Century” International Symposium, Mr. Li Tieying, Member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee, CPC, and President of CASS, emphasized that archaeology as a discipline studying ancient history in the light of material sources undoubtedly played a positive role in the propaganda of our great motherland's excellent historico-cultural tradition, the growth of Chinese nation's selfesteem, the stimulation of their patriotic zeal, and the rise of their ideological and moral quality as well as their scientific and cultural level. The Institute of Archaeology must further functionate as a state organization of special researches, elaborately study archaeological theories and methods characteristic of China, correctly handle the relationship between archaeological excavation and the preservation of cultural relics, and actively seek new approaches to the preservation of cultural relics through archaeological excavation. It should strengthen cooperation and exchange with its colleague both at home and abroad, and, alongside all Chinese and world archaeologists, strive for the new development and flourishing of the archaeological cause throughout China and the world and make still more brilliant contributions to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.