Building Archaeology and Preservation = 建筑考古与保护 The Tangible Golden Age of Amsterdam (1585-1700) = 有形的阿姆斯特丹黄金时代（1585—1700）

Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands and was first mentioned in the year 1275. After modest growth in the 14^th and 15^th centuries，the number of inhabitants grew to ca. 200,000 during the course of the 17^th century as the city prospered as never before and became a world leader in international trade. Large-scale urban expansion was the solution to the demand for more space. 
Nowadays，the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area has a population of about 2.4 million. The city still identifies itself with its 17^th-century city，and presents this particular image to the world. Historic buildings are considered to be essential bearers of the city’s cultural identity. The protection of listed buildings has ensured that large parts of Amsterdam’s city centre，which date back to the 17^th century or before，have been preserved. Material authenticity should be preserved if it is to stand a chance of survival. This preservation primarily depends on knowledge，and to obtain knowledge about Amsterdam’s heritage，research is crucial.

The City of Amsterdam has a long tradition of building archaeological research. The Office for Monuments and Archaeology emphasises that for the protection of the historic urban landscape，knowledge of buildings is required. Building archaeological research provides knowledge about the history of the city and its buildings，and creates public appreciation for the urban environment. This research is an important contribution to the assessment and preservation of Amsterdam’s heritage.