Department of Prehistoric Archaeology
Director： Fu Xianguo
Deputy director: Liang Zhonghe Li Xinwei
Members：Ren Shinan, Zhu Yanping, Ye Maolin, Jia Xiaobing, Huang Weidong, Li Yongqiang, Wang Xiaoqing, Zhao Chunqing, Jin Yingxi, Fu Yongxu, Zhou Zhenyu, Peng Xiaojun, Guo Zhiwei.
Main research interests of the department include the origin of agriculture, animal domestication and craft industry; typology, chronology, distribution and social-economic structures of ancient archaeological cultures; the origin of Chinese civilization; and other issues of prehistory in China. Its current research projects focus on 1) the exploration of early Neolithic cultures for a better understanding of the transition from the Paleolithic age to Neolithic age; the regional systems and local cultural series of Neolithic cultures in China; and the origin of Chinese civilization.
Thanks for the great efforts of three former directors – Professor An Zhimin, Professor Xie Duanju and Professor Yang Hu, the department now has nine fieldwork teams – the Henan No.1 fieldwork team, the Shandong fieldwork team, the Ganqing fieldwork team, the Hubei fieldwork team, the Shaanxi No.6 fieldwork team, the Sichuan fieldwork team, the Anhui fieldwork team, the Guangxi fieldwork team and the Three Gorges fieldwork team. These teams conduct archaeological fieldwork in different provinces within China.
The Henan No.1 Fieldwork Team
The team was established in the 1970s and has been focusing on the excavations and researches of prehistoric cultures in the Central Plains area. An Zhimin, Zheng Naiwu and Wu Yaoli had been the directors of the team. Now it is directed by Professor Chen Xingcan. The team has conducted excavations at the Peiligang and Shawoli sites in Xinzheng, the Tieshenggou site in Gongxian, the Shuiquan site in Shaanxian, and the Zhongshanzhai and Lilou sites in Linru. The main ongoing projects of the team at present include the excavation at the Xipo site (cooperating with the Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology and the Sanmenxia Institute of Archaeology) and the field survey in the Yiluo River Valley (cooperating with the Archaeology Program of La Trobe University, Australia).
The Shandong Fieldwork Team
The team was established in the 1950s and has been focusing on the excavations and researches of Neolithic and Bronze Age cultures within the Shandong area. Xu Xitai, Chen Zuoliang, Zhao Yongfu, Gao Guangren and Han Rong had been the directors of the team. Now it is directed by Professor Liang Zhonghe. The team had conducted excavations at the Fenghuangling site in Linyi, the Dongyueshicun site in Pingdu, the Sanlihe site in Jiaoxian, the Yaoguanzhuang site in Weifang, the Xixiahou site in Qufu, the Wangyin site in Yanzhou, the Xizhufeng site in Linqu, and the Beixin and Qianzhangda sites in Tengxian. In recent years, the team now concentrates on the excavations at the Jiaochangpu site in Chiping and the writing of the report on the excavations of the Shang period cemetery at Qianzhangda.
The Anhui Fieldwork Team
The team was established at the end of the 1980s and has been focusing on the researches of types, characteristics, distribution, periodization and development of prehistoric cultures within the conjunction area of the Jiangsu, Shandong, Henan and Anhui Provinces. After Wu Jia’an, Professor Wan Jihuai is now the director of the team. Its most famous fieldwork is the excavations at the Yuchisi site in Mengcheng. Report on those excavations has been published recently.
The Ganqing Fieldwork Team
The team was established in the 1950s and has been focusing on the researches of characteristics, distribution, periodization and development of prehistoric cultures in the Upper Yellow River Valley. The team also concerns communication between these cultures and the cultures in the surrounding areas, the role of the Ganqing area in the Neolithic and Bronze Age China and the origin of copper and bronze metallurgy in China. After Xie Duanju, Professor Wang Renxiang is now directing the team. The team has conducted excavations at the Zhangjiazui, Majiawan, Jijiachuan sites in Yongjing, the Dahezhuang, Qinweijia sites in Linxia, the Shizhaocun, Xishanping sites in Tianshui, the Fujiamen site in Wushan and the Liuwan site in Ledu, Qinghai. Its main ongoing project is the excavations at the Guanting site-group in Minhe, Qinghai.
The Hubei Fieldwork Team
The team was established in the 1950s and has been focusing on the researches of prehistoric cultures in the Yangze River Valley as well as the relationship between these cultures and their counterparts in the Yellow River Valley. Its former directors include Zhang Yunpeng, Shi Xingbang, An Zhimin, Jin Xueshan and Ren Shinan. Now it is directed by Professor Wu Yaoli. Main sites excavated by the team include the Qujialing site in Jingshan, the Zhujiatai site in Junxian, the Qinglongquan and Dasi sites in Yunxian, the Guanmiaoshan site in Zhijiang, the Ludun and Saidun sites in Huangmei and the Diaolongbei site in Zaoyang. Its main job at present is to write reports of previous excavations.
The Guangxi Fieldwork Team
The team was established in the 1990s and has been focusing on the researches of typology, chronology, characteristics and distribution of prehistoric cultures in Guangxi and nearby areas. The relationship between theses cultures and their counterparts in the surrounding areas is also under the concern of team. Directed by Professor Fu Xianguo, the team has conducted excavations at the Dingsishan site in Yongning, the Baozitou site in Nanning, the Taipingyan site in Lingui and the Zengpiyan site in Guilin.
The Three Gorges Fieldwork Team
The team was established in the 1990s for the salvage excavations in the Three Gorges area before the construction of a huge reservoir. Its fieldwork concentrates in the Wushan County. Under the lead of Yang Hu, Zheng Ruokui and current director Professor Liang Zhonghe, the team has conducted excavations at the Daxi, Oujialaowu, Weijialiangzi, Wushan County seat, Pipazhou, Shuangyantang and Dachang sites.
April 26，2015 updated