The need for urban expansion notwithstanding, people here know there's a line they cannot cross. "As an archaeologist, I have great respect for this determination of the area's residents," Dong says.

Having played his part at Shangjing for decades, Dong knows he will have to hand over the baton someday and hence, the site is now a regular training base for young scholars, particularly those specialized in urban archaeology.

Wang Ying, 39, has grown into a top-tier expert on Shangjing and is now in charge of daily fieldwork. Being away from home for months at a stretch, this mother has brought her 4-year-old to the site for the summer. Here's perhaps the beginning of yet another story of unwavering devotion.

Yuan Hui contributed to this story.