(1) All archaeological excavations must be submitted for approval, and no unit or individual may excavate cultural relics buried underground without permission.
(2) Cultural relics institutions, archaeological research institutions and institutions of higher learning in all provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government must propose an excavation plan for scientific research, report it to the State Department for Cultural Administration in conjunction with the China Academy of Social Sciences for examination and approval, and then carry out excavation. The need for archaeological excavations of national key cultural relics protection units shall be examined by the State Department for Cultural Administration in conjunction with the China Academy of Social Sciences and reported to the State Council for approval.
(3) For archaeological excavations that need to be carried out in coordination with construction projects, the cultural administrative departments of provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government shall put forward an excavation plan on the basis of exploration work and report it to the State Department for Cultural Administration in conjunction with the China Academy of Social Sciences for examination and approval. Where ancient cultural sites and ancient tombs are in urgent need of rescue because of the urgent construction period or the danger of natural destruction, the cultural administrative departments of provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government may organize forces to carry out excavation work and go through the approval procedures at the same time.
(4) Foreigners or foreign organizations may not conduct archaeological investigations and excavations in China without the special permission of the State Department for Cultural Administration reported to the State Council.
Extended information "People's Republic of China (PRC) Cultural Relics Protection Law"
Article 64? Anyone who violates the provisions of this Law and commits any of the following acts, which constitutes a crime, shall be investigated for criminal responsibility according to law:
(1) Excavating ancient cultural sites and ancient tombs;
(2) intentionally or negligently damaging precious cultural relics under state protection;
(3) Selling state-owned cultural relics or giving them to non-state-owned units or individuals without authorization;
(4) selling or giving away precious cultural relics prohibited by the state to foreigners without permission;
(five) reselling cultural relics prohibited by the state for profit;
(6) smuggling cultural relics;
(seven) theft, looting, dividing up or illegally occupying state-owned cultural relics;
(eight) other acts that hinder the management of cultural relics and should be investigated for criminal responsibility.
Article 65? Anyone who violates the provisions of this law and causes loss or damage to cultural relics shall bear civil liability according to law.
Anyone who violates the provisions of this law and constitutes a violation of public security administration shall be punished by the public security organ according to law.
Anyone who violates this law and constitutes smuggling, but does not constitute a crime, shall be punished by the customs in accordance with the provisions of relevant laws and administrative regulations.
Baidu Encyclopedia-License for Cultural Relics Exploration and Archaeological Excavation
Baidu Encyclopedia-People's Republic of China (PRC) Cultural Relics Protection Law