Xu Hong

Xu Hong, born in Gaizhou, Liaoning, in 1963, is a research fellow at the Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and a former head of the Erlitou archaeological team. His research focuses on early Chinese cities, early states and early civilizations, moving between fieldwork and writing. He has published thirteen works, including Why China: The Central Plains in 2000 BC, The Great Capital Without Walls: A Dynamic Reading of Early Chinese Capitals, and The Bronze Wave of East Asia: A Millennium of Change Before Oracle Bone Script, which reconstruct the complex picture of pre-Qin history from archaeological evidence. He also writes popular essays such as Let's Talk About Archaeology and has contributed to history primers for children. His prose is plain and restrained, emphasizing evidence and reasoning, and he is an active advocate of public archaeology. Public information on his education, awards and detailed career is limited.