Shanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology
The Mural-Painting Burial of the Yuan Dynasty at Nihe, Yu County, Shanxi Province..............................................................................................................04

Abstract：The Shanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology excavated a Jin-Dynasty burial of mural paintings in 2021. Seven mural paintings came to light, the images of which included fortunate beasts, kids, and so on. A set of porcelain wares, centering bowls and jars, were unearthed. The discovery reflects the folk mortuary customs and beliefs in eastern Shanxi Province in the Jin Dynasty.

Taiyuan Municipal Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, and Taiyuan Municipal Institute of the Jinyang ancient city
The Excavation of a Mural-painting Burial of the Yuan Dynasty in Jinyuan District, Taiyang, Shanxi Province..............................................................10

Abstract：In 2018, the Taiyuan Municipal Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology conducted a salvage excavation at three burials at Taiyuan County in Jinyuan District. Two of them were adjacent, which were both constructed with bricks and of mural paintings. Their discoveries are of great value to the Yuan Dynasty burial study and the cultural sequence of the Jinyang city site.

CHEN Shengqian
On the Growing Point of Chinese Archaeology...............................................17

Abstract：Chinese Archaeology experienced zigzagged growth in the last century. Now it is at a key point, a high time for reflection and outlook. In this sense, it would be helpful for us to comprehend the possibilities of disciplinary growth in the future. And it could help future archaeologists to make their own choices regarding research pathways. Growing point as the proxy of academic growth is a conceptual tool that can effectively summarize the development of archaeology during a certain period. Chinese archaeology in the past century experienced growth including several stages, and each stage has its own growing points. They corresponded with the contemporary contexts while coming down in one continuous line. By the reflection and outlook, we are, therefore, able to recognize development paths of Chinese archaeology in the past, its current situation, and its growing tendency in the future.

YU Xiyun
On the Prospect of Chinese Archaeology...........................................................26

Abstract：The methodological innovation in archaeology in the 19th century made it a scientific discipline. The three-stage argument made a ground structure for archaeological data. Stratigraphy could reveal the spatial and temporal relation of relics, while typology reveals that of the remains. The innovation of archaeology in the 20th century focused on theory, which aimed at exploring culture and society. Cultural history, targeting at social transformation process, is divergent from neo-evolution theory, which complemented each other. A series of technological innovations have come to light and characterized archaeology of the 21st century, which would continuously enrich our understanding of the cultural and historical nature.

ZHANG Xinbin
On the three Stage of the Academic History of Chinese Archaeology......................................................................................................34

Abstract：Based on a comparative study of different definitions of archaeology, the author points out that it is widely acknowledged that the actual material should be the core of archaeology. In 1921 or so, epigraphy was regarded as integrative to archaeology. Though epigraphy developed into archaeology, the nature remained the same. Therefore, the author proposes that Chinese archaeology consists of three stages, namely traditional archaeology, modern archaeology and contemporary archaeology.

ZHAI Shaodong and Rowan Flad
On the Post-K. C. Chang Age of Chinese Archaeology in North America....................................................................................................43

Abstract：This paper summarizes the development of the Chinese archaeology in North America from the point of view of publications in the 20 years after the passing of K. C. Chang. The quantities of monographs and articles written in English on Chinese archaeology obviously increased. Concerning research approaches, historical methods integrate anthropological perspectives to narrate Chinese history. The most obvious change in the recent 20 years is reflected in developments in scientific archaeology. In English archaeological journals, the articles on Chinese scientific archaeology are quite numerous, and this trend might be related to the large-scale of Sino-foreign cooperation during 1990s and into the 2000s. Scholars working on Chinese archaeology in North America paid attention to and absorbed the new Chinese archeological discoveries and research findings, and integrated these into their own analysis to form their own understandings of the origin and development of Chinese civilization.

DENG Shuping
Research on“the Jade Artifacts of the Western China Archetype” from the Prehistoric Time to the Xia Period（Part I）...............................................50

Abstract：The author generalized the regional characteristics of Chinese prehistoric jade artifacts when inspecting a large number of jade artifacts in the museum collections of Europe and United States in 1979. Since 1993, I have formally proposed the idea of“the Western China Archetype of Jade Artifacts.”It is believed, based on the gradual appearance of more and more archaeological data, that the prehistoric people on the land of China might have developed different religious beliefs and philosophies due to adapting to varied geographical patterns and ecological environments. In west China, the consciousness of“celestial worship”and“philosophy of empathetic communication”might have been presented on jade artifacts since the prehistoric time and become afterwards strong cultural genes in Chinese history. The vast West China area can be roughly divided into three geographic regions:“Gansu-Qinghai-Ningxia Plateau”in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, the“Shan-Shaan Plateau”in the middle reaches, and the“Sichuan Plain”in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. This article aims at discussing the jade cultures from the prehistoric time to the Xia period in these three regions. The article will be divided into three parts due to its size being too large.

ZHANG Hai and ZHAO Xiaojun
In between Yangshao and Longshan.............................................................68

Abstract：The first half of 3rd Millennium BC is a key period for the social transition in Central Plain, which has attracted many archaeologist’s interests based on the Yangshao and Longshan Culture as spatial-temporal coordinates on the study of prehistoric China. This article focuses on three aspects of this transition period including cultural history, social development and absolute dating. During the Late Miaodigou, sustainable changes could be discerned within the Yangshao Culture. Distributive power was imposed into traditional Yangshao Culture which used to be collective-powered society by Dawenkou Culture. In the Late Yangshao, four culture spheres formed in Central Plain, with Qinwangzhai Culture and Late Yangshao Culture in west of Guanzhong basin developed into early hierarchical societies. Both Qujialing and Dawenkou Cultures shed great light on the Central Plain within this period. In the early of Longshan, the confrontation between east and west of Late Dawenkou and Miaodigou Ⅱ was the main cultural patterns in Central China. In sum, the spatial-temporal heterogeneity was the main characteristic for the development of prehistoric Central China. Two Arc belts in west and east China had great impacts to the Central China on its trajectory to early complex societies.