Kinmen Ancient Monument Chen Xian Tomb Suspected Damaged, Cultural Bureau to Investigate After Floodwaters Recede
The Kinmen County-designated ancient monument "Chen Xian Tomb" is suspected to have been damaged, prompting an investigation by the Cultural Affairs Bureau. The site is currently flooded, and a full investigation will commence after the water recedes. Police and an expert team have also inspected the scene.
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- 📰 Published: April 6, 2026 at 18:59
- 🔍 Collected: April 6, 2026 at 23:28 (4h 29m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 14, 2026 at 23:07 (191h 38m after Collected)
The Chen Xian Tomb, located on the coastal area south of Houyuan in Jinhu Township, Kinmen County, was designated a Kinmen County-level ancient monument in 1999. Following its suspected damage discovered today, the police, Kinmen County Cultural Affairs Bureau, and Kinmen Ancient Tomb Survey Team all arrived at the scene to understand the situation.
Chen Rong-chang stated in an interview with a Central News Agency reporter that today, when Chen family descendants were sweeping the tomb, they discovered the Chen Xian Tomb had been damaged and reported it to the police. Preliminary understanding is that the outer layer of the tomb's turtle-shaped mound has been damaged, but observing the exterior, it appears the tomb chamber itself has not been breached. Due to continuous rain and accumulated water, further observation can only be conducted after the water has been cleared.
Chen Rong-chang added that a follow-up inspection will be conducted with the police, Chen Xian Tomb descendants, and others to assess the extent of the damage and determine temporary repair methods. As the Chen Xian Tomb is a county-level ancient monument, damaging an ancient monument may constitute a crime under the Cultural Heritage Preservation Act.
Chen Rong-chang mentioned that Kinmen has many ancient tombs designated as national or county-level ancient monuments. National monuments are equipped with surveillance cameras and regularly patrolled, while county-level monuments are entrusted to a Kinmen University team for inspection, with any anomalies reported for handling.
According to Article 103 of the Cultural Heritage Preservation Act, those who damage all, part, or the ancillary facilities of an ancient monument or a provisional ancient monument shall be sentenced to imprisonment of not less than six months and not more than five years, and may be concurrently fined not less than NT$500,000 and not more than NT$20,000,000. (Editor: Chen Ren-hua) 1150406
Chen Rong-chang stated in an interview with a Central News Agency reporter that today, when Chen family descendants were sweeping the tomb, they discovered the Chen Xian Tomb had been damaged and reported it to the police. Preliminary understanding is that the outer layer of the tomb's turtle-shaped mound has been damaged, but observing the exterior, it appears the tomb chamber itself has not been breached. Due to continuous rain and accumulated water, further observation can only be conducted after the water has been cleared.
Chen Rong-chang added that a follow-up inspection will be conducted with the police, Chen Xian Tomb descendants, and others to assess the extent of the damage and determine temporary repair methods. As the Chen Xian Tomb is a county-level ancient monument, damaging an ancient monument may constitute a crime under the Cultural Heritage Preservation Act.
Chen Rong-chang mentioned that Kinmen has many ancient tombs designated as national or county-level ancient monuments. National monuments are equipped with surveillance cameras and regularly patrolled, while county-level monuments are entrusted to a Kinmen University team for inspection, with any anomalies reported for handling.
According to Article 103 of the Cultural Heritage Preservation Act, those who damage all, part, or the ancillary facilities of an ancient monument or a provisional ancient monument shall be sentenced to imprisonment of not less than six months and not more than five years, and may be concurrently fined not less than NT$500,000 and not more than NT$20,000,000. (Editor: Chen Ren-hua) 1150406