The Grotto Temple Archaeology Division, established in 2022, evolved from the Buddhist Archaeology Project Group of the Division of Frontier Ethnic and Religious Archaeology. The division currently administers three archaeological fieldwork teams: the Northwest Grottoes Team, the Xiangtangshan Grottoes Team, and the Dazu Rock Carvings Team. Its primary responsibility is to conduct archaeological surveys, excavations and research on Buddhist monasteries and grotto temple sites nationwide. The division aims to lead the development of research concepts and methodological approaches in Buddhist archaeology, formulate national planning for the disciplinary development of grotto temple archaeology and promote comprehensive research and theoretical innovation centred on the inheritance of Chinese civilization and exchanges and mutual learning between Eastern and Western civilizations. It is committed to establishing and refining a research system for grotto temple archaeology in China.