Page 11 - The Golden Age of Chinese Archaeology: Celebrated Discoveries from the People’s Republic of China

Foreword

Several times in the past five decades, the West's attention has been riveted by news of astonish-
ing archaeological finds in China. Such discoveries as that of the Bronze Age Erlitou culture
are among the many achievements of a five-decade-long effort to encourage and support ar-
chaeological projects throughout the Republic, not only through "rescue" archaeology but also
through analytical and scientific means. The world's understanding of ancient Chinese history
has been vastly expanded as a result, leading to our description of the second half of the twen-
tieth century, and the present exhibition, as The Golden Age of Chinese Archaeology. Each work of
art exhibited here will help the visitor along the path that leads toward understanding the pro-
fundity and grandeur of Chinese civilization. Each work exhibited is precious, embodying the
history of Chinese art and science, and each was painstakingly recovered through the often

arduous archaeological process.
In 1982, the Standing Committee of the People's Congress passed a "Cultural Relics
Preservation Law of The People's Republic of China," further strengthening an already firm
national commitment to archaeology. While governmental support has allowed the discipline
to grow, its successes are owed in no small measure to the determination and hard work of
Chinese archaeologists, aided by colleagues from the West, and especially from the United
States. In the 19205 the Rockefeller Foundation supported a large-scale systematic excavation
at Zhoukoudian, where Chinese and Western scholars worked side-by-side. Since then, close
collaborative investigations have continued, for example, at Mogaoku and Longmen Grottos,
with the support of the Getty Conservation Institute, the Dunhuang Research Institute, and the
Cultural Relics Department of Luoyang. Many American universities and research institutions
participate in archaeological surveys, investigations, and excavations across China: the Palae-
olithic site at Nihewang Basin; the Neolithic sites in Xianrendong, Wangnian, Jiangxi province,
and in western China; the Lower Xiajiadian culture site in Inner Mongolia province; Shandong
province's Rizhao sites; and the salt industry sites in the Chengdu Plain and its adjacent areas.
President Jiang Zemin, in a speech at Harvard University in November 1997, said, "Mutual
understanding is the premise of developing a friendly relationship between countries.... In

order to understand China, there can be many different points of view. The present China is
the extension of the historical China, which is a country with five thousand years of history and
civilization. We should comprehend and discern China from the perspectives of its history and
cultural heritage." The Golden Age of Chinese Archaeology, with its exquisite works from 5000 BCE
to the tenth century CE, provides an excellent opportunity for our American friends to study
Chinese history and culture. Through these ancient works we hope that you will become ac-
quainted not only with a brilliant culture, but come to understand better China's historical
struggles, its longing for peace, and its strength.
The country and its people are brimming over with confidence as they assume new, pro-
active roles in archaeology as well as in world society. With great good will and enthusiasm,

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