The Yanping Temple in Hualien County will become the first temple in the county to be examined for its historical value using scientific technology.
The temple is believed to be about 170 years old, which would suggest that it contains artifacts dating back as far as 1851. The county’s Cultural Affairs Bureau has allocated NT$980,000 (US$33,000) for the one-year inspection process. The results are expected by the end of the year.
The team says it will inspect and archive about 200 artifacts. Fifteen of the artifacts are already thought to be valuable cultural assets.