Collected Writings of Li Ji

Name: Collected Writings of Li Ji
ISBN: 9787214193889

清华大学国学研究院Jiangsu People's Publishing House · ChinaNov 2020

4.3

Word count: 214K words
Chapters: 19
ISBN: 9787214193889

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Summary

Li Ji (1896–1978) was a renowned modern Chinese archaeologist, anthropologist, and historian, known as the father of Chinese archaeology. He studied at Tsinghua, Clark, and Harvard, and was China's first doctorate holder in anthropology. After returning to China, he developed archaeology and anthropology, served as a tutor at the Tsinghua University Institute of Chinese Studies, and later worked at the Institute of History and Philology of the Academia Sinica, during which time he directed the archaeological excavation at Yinxu in Anyang, a milestone in the history of modern Chinese archaeology.

Editor's review

As a collection of important writings by Mr. Li Ji, the founder of modern Chinese archaeology, Collected Works of Li Ji is far more than an ordinary academic compilation. Carefully edited by the Tsinghua University Institute of Chinese Studies, the book systematically presents Li Ji's pioneering thinking on the Yinxu excavations, the reconstruction of ancient Chinese history, and archaeological methodology. Reading it not only lets one follow in the footsteps of the "father of Chinese archaeology" and personally relive the academic scene of the Yinxu excavations in Anyang—the greatest archaeological discovery in twentieth-century China—but also enables a deeper understanding of how he placed the legendary era on an evidentiary footing through scientific archaeological methods; his idea of "letting the underground materials speak" remains inspiring today. The book's discussions of artifact typology and stratigraphy, as well as its exploration of the origins of the Chinese nation and culture, display a grand interdisciplinary vision and a rigorous scholarly character. For readers, this is not only a key text for understanding the intellectual threads of Chinese archaeology in its formative period but also the best window for experiencing how a generation of scholars established a native academic paradigm amid the collision of Chinese and Western scholarship. The writing is plain yet profound, explaining professional issues clearly and tangibly, so that non-specialist readers can also appreciate the intellectual charm of archaeology.

Who it's for

A good fit for

History enthusiasts interested in Chinese archaeology, especially the Yinxu excavations and ancient Chinese history
Scholars and students engaged in history, archaeology, and anthropology
Readers who wish to understand twentieth-century Chinese academic history and Sino-Western academic exchange
Readers who appreciate scholars' rigorous, plain style and profound thought

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking light entertainment or novel-like narrative reading experiences
Beginners hoping for highly generalized, conclusive knowledge of Chinese general history

Reading tips

It is recommended to read the editor's preface or an introduction to Li Ji's life first, to establish a basic understanding of his academic standing and historical context.
Readers may combine the text with visual materials on the Yinxu excavations or visits to museum objects, linking the discussions to specific artifacts to deepen understanding.
The professional terminology and discussions of research methods require patient close reading; there is no need to master everything at once—the book can serve as a reference to keep on hand.

About the publisher

Jiangsu People's Publishing House China · Founded in 1953

Jiangsu People's Publishing House is known for works in history, literature and the social sciences. Judging from its catalog, it focuses on modern Chinese history, classical literary appreciation and scholarly research. Representative titles include historical works such as Kuomintang-Communist Cooperation and the National Revolution, 1924–1927 and A Record of Combat on the Front Lines of China's War of Resistance Against Japan, literary and visual documents such as Sun Wen's Illustrated Complete Dream of the Red Chamber, and scholarly collections such as Chen Yinke's Collected Works of Hanliu Hall. Translations such as The Dust Bowl and Anti-Intellectualism in American Life reflect an interest in overseas social and cultural studies. Its authors include historians Wang Qisheng, Huang Yuzhang and Guo Rugui, as well as figures associated with classical literature such as Cao Xueqin and Sun Wen. Common categories include history, literary appreciation, essays and miscellaneous writings, and social-science and cultural titles, showing a balance between historical scholarship and literature and between academic and popular publishing. Because public information is limited, this overview is based only on the books in the catalog.

版权信息
总序
导言：李济的生平与学术
西阴村史前的遗存
中国文明的开始
中国考古学之过去与将来
《城子崖发掘报告》序
《田野考古报告》编辑大旨
中国古器物学的新基础
从人类学看文化
中国上古史之重建工作及其问题
《殷墟陶器研究报告》序
再谈中国上古史的重建问题
黑陶文化在中国上古史中所占的地位
安阳发掘与中国古史问题
踏入文明的过程——中国史前文化鸟瞰（待定稿）
殷墟出土青铜礼器之总检讨
李济大事年表
启事

FAQ

Who was Li Ji? What is his status in Chinese archaeology?

Li Ji (1896–1979) was a principal founder of modern Chinese archaeology and is known as the "father of Chinese archaeology." He directed the world-shocking excavations at Yinxu in Anyang, Henan, and for the first time used scientific archaeological methods to confirm the historical reality of the Shang dynasty, opening a new era in Chinese field archaeology. This book is a concentrated expression of his scholarly thought.

What main areas does the content of this book cover?

The book mainly collects Mr. Li Ji's reports and research on the Yinxu excavations, his discussions of ancient Chinese history and the origins of the Chinese nation, his expositions of archaeological theory and methods (such as typology and stratigraphy), and some of his academic essays and reminiscences, comprehensively reflecting the core achievements and thinking of his scholarly career.

Can readers who are not archaeology majors understand this book?

Yes. Although it involves specialized content, Mr. Li Ji's style is clear, his logic rigorous, and he is good at explaining complex issues in an accessible way. The editor has also paid attention to the readability of the text. Readers need only bring an interest in history and a certain patience to benefit from it and appreciate the ways of thinking of scientific archaeology and the grand vision of early China exploration.

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About the author

清华大学国学研究院 Author

The Institute of Chinese Studies at Tsinghua University is a teaching and research institution of Tsinghua University focused on the organization and study of traditional Chinese scholarship. Fourteen of its works are included here, most of them collected writings and literary remains of scholars associated with the institute, such as Ma Heng, Li Ji, Jiang Liangfu, Zhu Fangpu, Gao Heng, Fang Zhuangyou and Wei Juxian, together with one title from the Lecture Society series. These works span literary appreciation, historical reading, social culture and miscellaneous prose, with an emphasis on scholarly textual research and discussions of literature and history, combining source organization with topical study. Because public information is limited, its specific history and staffing are not covered here; judged solely by its publishing direction, the institute works to preserve the research achievements of modern scholars, offering readers useful volumes for understanding the landscape of twentieth-century Chinese scholarship.