Why did the Cultural Revolution lead to the destruction of many Chinese historical artifacts?

The Cultural Revolution, which was initiated by Mao Zedong in 1966, aimed to purge Chinese society of remnants of capitalist and traditional elements and to create a new society based on Maoist ideology. During this period, historical artifacts and cultural relics that were seen as symbols of the past were targeted for destruction by the Red Guards, a paramilitary group of students who were given the power to carry out Mao's wishes.

The destruction of these artifacts was viewed as a means to eradicate the 'Four Olds' – old ideas, old customs, old habits, and old culture – and to create a new socialist culture. In their zeal to prove their loyalty to Mao and the Communist Party, the Red Guards targeted anything that was deemed to be a symbol of the past, including historical buildings, temples, books, and works of art.

Many historical artifacts were looted or destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, causing an irreparable loss to China's cultural heritage. The Red Guards targeted museums, temples, and private collections and destroyed anything that they perceived to be an artifact of the 'old' culture. The destruction of these artifacts caused a great deal of damage to China's cultural heritage, which is still felt today.

The Cultural Revolution had a profound impact on China's cultural heritage and led to the destruction of many of the country's most important historical artifacts. Although the Cultural Revolution officially ended in 1976 with the death of Mao, its legacy continues to be felt today.