This book presents a collection of archaeological and anthropological
writings by Li Chi, the founding father of modern archaeology in China.
It is divided into two parts, the first of which traces back the rise of
Chinese civilization, as well as the origins of the Chinese people; in
turn, the second part reviews the rise of archaeology in China as a
scientific subject that combines fieldwork methods from the West with
traditional antiquarian studies. Readers who are interested in Chinese
civilization will find fascinating information on the excavations of Yin
Hsü (the ruins of the Yin Dynasty), including building foundations,
bronzes, chariots, pottery, stone and jade, and thousands of oracle
bones, which are vividly shown in historical pictures. These findings
transformed the Yin Shang culture from legend into history and thus
moved China's history forward by hundreds of years, shocking the world.
In turn, the articles on anthropology include Li Chi's reflections on
central problems in Chinese anthropology and are both enlightening and
thought-provoking.