Department of Xia, Shang and Zhou Archaeology
Director: Xu Hong
Deputy director: Xu Lianggao He Nu
Members: Gu Fei, Tang Jigen, Yue Hongbin, Niu Shishan, Tang Jinqiong
Song Jiangning, Zhao Haitao, Gao Jiangtao, Cui Liangsheng
Yue Zhanwei, Fu Zhongyang, Chen Guoliang, He Yuling
Yin Qun, Huang Yifei, Chang Huaiying, Yan Zhibin, Cao Huiqi
Fields of research and projects
This department focuses on the Bronze Age. Its current research projects include: the origin of Chinese civilizations; cultures of Xia and early Shang; capitals of the Shang and Zhou periods; origin of Zhou civilization. Six teams are actively undertaking fieldwork: Erlitou (Yanshi), Shangcheng (Yanshi), Anyang, Fenghao, Beijing, and Shanxi.
Erlitou (Yanshi) Fieldwork Team
Instituted in 1959, when Xu Xusheng discovered the Erlitou site, this team has been actively performing excavation at this site. Heads of this team have been Zhao Zhiquan (1961-1980), Zheng Guanggui (1980-1999), and Xu Hong (1999-present). Current fieldwork focuses on the layout of this site.
Yanshai Shangcheng Fieldwork Team
Instituted in 1983, this team has been dedicated to investigating the Shang city site, located in the Yanshi City, Henan Province. Its most recent fieldwork focused on the layout, chronology and periodization of this city, investigating the outer fortified wall, the inner fortified wall, the palace compound, and the royal pond near the compound. Heads of this team have been Zhao Zhiquan (1983-1990), Xu Diankui(1990-1993), Liu Zhongfu (1993-1995), Zhang Lidong (1995-1996), Du Jinpeng (1996-1998) and Wang Xuerong (1998-2004).
Anyang Fieldwork Team
Instituted in 1958, it has been dedicated to preserving and investigating the Anyang site of the Shang dynasty. Its recent fieldwork focuses on the Huayuanzhuang hoard of Oracle bones, the Huanbei Shang City, but includes rescue excavations. Chief heads of this team have been Yin Da (1958-1961, assisted by Zhou Yongzhen, Wei Shuxun, Lin Shoujin, An Zhimin, Gao Guangren in succession), Zheng Zhenxiang (1962-1965, assisted by Wei Shuxun), Dai Zhongxian (1972-1976), Yang Xizhang (1989-1995), Tang Jigen (1996-present, assisted by Xu Guangde).
Fenghao Fieldwork Team
Instituted in 1955, this team has been dedicated to investigating the settlement and cemeteries in the vicinity of the Feng and Hao capitals of the Western Zhou period. It has conducted excavations at Keshengzhuang, Zhangjiapo, Xiwangcun. Among these the Zhangjiapo cemetery led to the establishment of the chronology of the Western Zhou period. Currently it is excavating in the Zhouyuan area, in collaboration with Beijing University, and Shaanxi Provincial Archaeological Institute. Heads of this team have been Wang Bohong (1955-1957), Hu Qianying, Zhang Changshou, Zhao Yongfu (1957-1963), Zhang Changshou (1963-1988), Lu Liancheng (1989-1996), Xu Lianggao (1996-present).
Beijing Fieldwork Team
Instituted in 1989, this team has been investigating the Liulihe site, a capital of the Yan state of the Western Zhou period, in collaboration with Beijing Institute of Cultural Property and Archaeology. Heads of this team have been Yin Weizhang (1989-1996), Chai Xiaoming (1996-1998), and Gu Fei (1998-present).
Shanxi Fieldwork Team
The forerunner of this team was the Shanxi dispatch participating in the rescue excavation of the drown area of the Yellow River Reservoir. Formally instituted in 1958, it carried out a large-scale survey in the southern Shanxi province in search of Xia culture, and excavated the Dongwangzhuang and Xiwangcun sites of the Ruicheng county. In 1960-1963, it participated in the excavation campaign at the Houma Bronze Foundry, organized by the Ministry of Culture. Subsequently it excavated the Dongxiafeng site in 1974-1979, and the Taosi site in the Xiangfeng county in 1978-1985. In 1993, it participated in the rescue excavation in the Xiaolangdi Reservoir. Heads have been Zhang Yanhuang (assisted by Chen Cunxi, Zhang Wuming), Gao Tianlin (assisted by Gao Wei and Zhang Daihai), Gao Wei, and Li Jianmin.
April 26，2015 updated