臺灣水文化資產系統研究初探

A Brief Study of Taiwan Water Culture Heritage System

水是人類與動植物不可或缺的重要生命元素，自古以來，水便與人類文明發展以及文化形成息息相關，隨著人類文明發展，各種水利用，包括引水、導水系統的方法、技術與組織制度，以及聚落、都市的商業、運輸運河水路網絡，都隨之逐漸成形。另一方面，水能載舟亦能覆舟，洪水也可以輕易地摧毀人類文明。因此，制禦、防範洪水的哲學思想、技術等，甚至是對洪水的敬畏而發展出的傳說故事、宗教信仰或占卜文化等，便應運而生。以上這些因「水」而形成發展的人類與水環境互動所產生的各種智慧，即可稱之為「水文化」本文參照世界遺產與臺灣《文化資產保存法》有關系統性或複合型文化資產的詮釋，提出為「跨域」、「共同主軸」、「複合型」等臺灣水文化資產系統的研究類型與案例，並以實際案例進行評析。透過本文提出的發想，期望能拋磚引玉，喚起各界對於水文化資產保存議題之重視，逐步建構並完善臺灣水文化資產的保存理論與價值論述，為未來的臺灣文化資產保存事務開展新的面向。

Water is an indispensable vital element for humans, other animals and plants. Since ancient times, water has been closely related to the spread of human civilization and the development of culture. With the evolution of human civilization, water has exploited in many ways, including methods of water diversion and dispersal, technology and organizational systems. As settlements and urban commerce have expanded, transport canal networks and other infrastructure have gradually taken shape. On the other hand, floods can easily destroy human civilization. Therefore, the philosophical thoughts and techniques for controlling and preventing floods, and even the legends, religious beliefs or divination cultures that developed from the fear of floods, came into being. The various wisdoms created by the interaction between humans and the water environment around them formed what can be called ''water culture''. This study aims to investigate Taiwan's Water Heritage under the framework of Taiwan's Cultural Heritage Preservation Act and World Heritage. It proposes case studies and research directions of Taiwan's Water Heritage culture asset systems such as ''trans-regional'', ''common connected'', and ''comprehensive'' forms. In the future, Water Heritage may serve as a new breakthrough point for promotion and conservation of cultural heritage in Taiwan.