The Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) (the Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of History), was established on August 1st, 1950, as one of the earliest institutes founded under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. In May 1977, it was placed under the jurisdiction of the CASS. Today, the Institute of Archaeology stands as a top-tier national archaeological research institution with the most comprehensive academic disciplines, the broadest research scope, and the richest scholarly achievements, enjoying preeminence domestically and renown internationally.

Since 1950, the Institute of Archaeology has conducted nearly 400 field projects in over 200 cities and counties spanning 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities, as well as in the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions. It has carried out long-term excavations and research at major ancient capitals, tombs, and various other types of archaeological sites throughout China.

The Institute of Archaeology conducts in-depth research in areas such as the transition from the Palaeolithic to the Neolithic, the origin of agriculture, the origins of Chinese civilization, prehistoric China, the history of the Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties period, ancient Chinese cities, ancient Chinese handicraft industries, cultural exchanges between China and foreign civilizations in antiquity, and the formation and development of a unified multi-ethnic state. The institute has published thousands of monographs and specialised academic publications.

It has also produced a distinguished cohort of scholars, represented by figures such as Zheng Zhenduo, Liang Siyong, Yin Da, Xia Nai, Su Bingqi, Xu Xusheng, Huang Wenbi, Guo Baojun, Chen Mengjia, Yan Yin, Wang Zhongshu, An Zhimin, Shi Xingbang, Tong Zhuchen, Xu Pingfang, Zhang Changshou and Huang Zhanyue.

The Institute of Archaeology has been responsible for formulating the disciplinary development plan for archaeology in China, and has undertaken major national research projects such as the Xia–Shang–Zhou Chronology Project and Research on the Origins and Early Development of Chinese civilization. In collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, it supported the establishment of the archaeology programme in the Department of History at Peking University and, with the Ministry of Culture and Peking University, jointly organised four national training programmes for archaeological personnel. It has also carried out training programmes across the country, contributing to the cultivation of archaeological professionals nationwide.

The Institute of Archaeology has long engaged in international academic exchanges, cooperating with archaeological research institutions and universities in countries such as the United States, Canada, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, France, Russia, Australia, Egypt, Honduras, Romania and Uzbekistan,to promote the advancement of global archaeology.

The Institute currently consists of the following divisions:

- Prehistoric Archaeology Division

- Xia-Shang-Zhou Archaeology Division

- Han-Tang Archaeology Division

- Frontier Ethnicities and Religious Archaeology Division

- World Archaeology Division

- Grotto Temple Archaeology Division

- Archaeological Theory Division 

- Human Origins and Evolution Research Center

- Archaeological Data and Archives Center

- Archaeology Press (Editorial Division of Archaeology)

- Archaeological Science and Experimental Research Center

- Cultural Heritage Conservation Research Center 

- General Office

- Human Resources Office (Party Committee Office)

- General Office of Scientific Research 

- General Office of Archaeological Fieldwork Management

The Institute of Archaeology publishes several highly prestigious academic journals, including Kaoguxue Bao (Acta Archaeologica Sinica), Kaogu (Archaeology), Kaoguxue Jikan (also known as Archaeological Collectanea), and Chinese Archaeology, which is currently the only English-language archaeological journal in China. The institute also oversees the Archaeological Society of China, publishes the Almanac of Archaeology in China annually, and regularly participates in major international academic events such as the China Archaeology Congress and the Shanghai Archaeology Forum. In September 2024, the institute established the CASS Key Laboratory for Archaeological Science and Cultural Heritage Conservation.

In recent years, under the strong support and care of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, the Institute of Archaeology has significantly strengthened its institutional governance capacity and improved its fieldwork conditions. Future plans include enhancing research and institutional development in areas such as underwater archaeology, public archaeology, and the compilation and study of excavated texts, while continuously advancing the scholarly study and interpretation of Chinese civilization.