Archaeological Theory · Methods · Technology

Author: None
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-10-01
Features: In 1992, according to the teaching schedule, I offered a course titled "Theories and Methods of Archaeology" to master's students in the Archaeology Department of Shandong University. To prepare for the course, I systematically organized relevant materials and began to reflect on theoretical and methodological issues in Chinese archaeology. Before that, around the late 1980s and early 1990s of the last century, influenced by foreign archaeological theories, some young scholars in China, out of their passionate concern for the future of Chinese archaeology, held several seminars and discussions of varying scales to debate the history, current state, and development of Chinese archaeology. Because my university was located somewhat outside the academic center, I only heard rumors of the earlier discussions and later read some reports in newspapers and journals. Perhaps due to my limited knowledge, I always thought they were just empty talk. There is a saying in China, "Empty talk leads to national ruin," and I believed it. In February to July 1989, I went to Beijing to revise and edit the manuscript of "Siwater Yinjiacheng" at the Cultural Relics Publishing House. During my free time, I attended a special lecture on ethnology and Egyptian archaeology by an American scholar at Peking University. During the break, I met my friend Mr. Jiang Zudui, who had studied under Mr. Zhang Guangzhi at Harvard University. I remember he was preparing his doctoral dissertation at the time—"A Comparative Study of Mayan Culture and Ancient Chinese Culture." After the lecture, I was invited to his home, and we had a long conversation about issues related to Chinese archaeology (including the emerging archaeological theories of the time). Frankly, this conversation had a great impact on me. What impressed me most was that if we care about Chinese archaeology, we must think about its theories and methods, and we must learn from and draw lessons from foreign experiences. Later, the Archaeology Department of Peking University invited Mr. Tong Enzheng to give a speech, which was actually conducted as a seminar in the reading room. I and some other colleagues attended it, and the main discussion was also about archaeological theories related to Chinese archaeology. In late August 1991, at the enthusiastic initiative of some young scholars, the Cultural Relics Department of the State Administration of Cultural Relics organized a "Symposium on Archaeological Theories" in Tangzhuang, Yanzhou, Shandong Province, with about twenty participants. The conference lasted for a week, and all attendees, except for three senior experts, were middle-aged and young scholars from Beijing and other places. At the meeting, different viewpoints clashed and debated intensely on theoretical issues related to the history, current state, and development trends of Chinese archaeology, creating a tense atmosphere. Looking back on this period of history now, some scenes from that time still appear vividly in my mind, evoking many reflections. The development of a discipline requires the continuous infusion of new ideas and vitality, as well as the constant enrichment and refinement of its theories and methods. The and dedication of young scholars fill them with passion and fervor, creating a sense of urgent crisis about the future of Chinese archaeology. Although this trend did not significantly change the direction of archaeology as the American New Archaeology did, it has and continues to bring many changes to Chinese archaeology. Since the mid-1990s, I have had the opportunity to visit Japan and the United States for short-term stays and to conduct long-term cooperative archaeological research with institutions in the United States, including surveys and excavations. As a result, I have gained direct and perceptual understanding of foreign archaeological theories and methods, which has somewhat broadened my horizons. Since the purpose of archaeology is clear, the question lies in how to achieve it, and the importance of theories and methods is self-evident. Based on this, I began to focus on pursuing certain things—specific, operational methods and techniques suitable for Chinese archaeology, some of which are reflected in the book. In 1997, the Academic Affairs Office of Shandong University established several projects for teaching and textbook reform. Considering that there was no systematic reference book on archaeological theories and methods in China at the time, I persuaded my colleague Fang Hui and Jin Guiyun from the Shandong Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology to join me in applying for the project titled "Theories, Methods, and Techniques of Archaeology." The project was approved by the university, and the following year it was also listed as a provincial project. Although the funding was not substantial, the frequent inspections constantly pushed us to work. Otherwise, with my current work situation, I would rarely have time to systematically study this issue. After more than four years of effort, we have now completed this book, which can be considered a satisfactory outcome. The reason I chose Fang Hui and Jin Guiyun to participate in the project was based on the following considerations: Professor Fang Hui has excellent English and has already offered a course titled "Foreign Archaeology" to undergraduate archaeology students. He was also going to the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Canada, for a year-long visit, which would give him the opportunity to systematically study Western archaeological theories. Additionally, our cooperative archaeological projects with American scholars also provided direct communication with American archaeologists, making him a suitable candidate to write the chapter on "Schools of Foreign Archaeological Theories." Dr. Jin Guiyun majored in archaeology for both her undergraduate and master's degrees. She obtained her master's degree in 1989 and worked at the Shandong Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology. In 1996, she entered the Institute of Geology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences for her doctoral studies, studying environmental archaeology under Professor Liu Dongsheng. Therefore, it was ideal for her to be responsible for the section on "The Application of Modern Science and Technology in Archaeology." The remaining parts of the book were completed by me. If this book can be helpful to practitioners and enthusiasts of Chinese archaeology, students at various levels, and personnel in related disciplines, then our original intention has been fulfilled. It should be noted that the development of Chinese archaeology to its current state is the result of the hard work and relentless pursuit of several generations of scholars. The theories, methods, viewpoints, ideas, and techniques presented in this book include contributions from both domestic and foreign scholars. We have only summarized and organized them and systematized them to make them more suitable for Chinese thinking. Directly quoted viewpoints and content are marked with references within the text. Additionally, a list of important reference books has been appended at the end of the book, providing readers with an index for further study and reference.