Report on the Academic Exchange Seminar between the Institute of Archaeology,CASS and Peking University

   Researchers from the Institute of Archaeology's Centre for Scientific Archaeology attended an academic exchange seminar at the Arthur M. Sackler Museum with those from the Scientific Archaeology Lab of Peking University on the morning of March 31st.Participants included research fellows Yuan Jing, Liu Jianguo, Zhang Jun, Liu Yu, Wang Minghui, Wang Hui and Wang Jinxia,postdoctoral student Hu Yaqin, and fellow researchers from Peking University's Laboratory of Scientific Archaeology. Research fellows from the Laboratory of Scientific Archaeology who were under the supervision of Wu Xiaohong, Deputy Director of Peking University's School of Archaeology and Museology, were in full attendance. A number of postgraduate students also participated in the seminar.

    The seminar was opened and presided over by Deputy Director Wu. Peking University professors Chen Jianli and Cui Jianfeng presented their papers on "The New Developments in the Research of Ancient Chinese Steelmaking Techniques" and "Analysis of Inorganic Relics and Lead Isotopes in Archaeology". Chen Jianli's paper focussed on the chronology of the origins and early development of ancient Chinese iron-smelting technologies and on the transmission and propagation of the iron and steel industry. Cui Jianfeng's paper focussed on the application of inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) analysis in the composition analysis of inorganic relics (e.g. ceramic, glassware, dyes and metals) and the application of lead isotope analysis in the study of the sources of ores used in bronze ware.
    Zhang Jun and Liu Yu, researchers at the Institute of Archaeology (CASS), presented their papers on "The Study of Human Skeletal Remains For the Purpose of Archaeological Research" and "Reflections on Research Methods in the Study of Shang and Zhou Bronze-Casting Techniques". Zhang Jun's paper dealt the study of human skeletal remains and how it could be used to resolve archaeological questions. In it, she discussed the human bone research team's tentative plans for integrated research project comprised of research on physical anthropology, diet analysis, and strontium isotope analysis. Liu Yu's paper was a review of the course of development of the research into Shang and Zhou bronze-casting techniques. Her analysis of the technological process and production of Yinxu bronzeware stressed the importance of a multidisciplinary and cooperative approach for the future development of archaeological research.

     Participating scholars went on to discuss their views on the four papers and the seminar concluded with a closing speech by Deputy Director Wu Xiaohong and Director Yuan Jing.They both expressed that this should be an opportunity for the cooperative research established by Qiu Shihua (CASS), Cai Lianzhen (CASS) and Chen Tiemei (Peking University) to be pushed forward. They pointed out that effective scientific archaeology projects must be guided by the concept of archaeological research and that there is still scope for the further broadening of scientific archaeology as a discipline.
    That afternoon, the delegation from the Centre for Scientific Archaeology (IA CASS) visited the "Model China : Shang and Zhou Bronzeware Techniques, Forms and Designs" exhibition accompanied by Peking University's Professor Chen Jianli. The group exchanged their opinions on the exhibition's content and displays as well as their views on the key topic, the pilot project of the scientific importance of cultural relics created through ancient metallurgical and foundry techniques.  Translated by Kelly McGuire