서구 유학생 출신 중국 초기 고고학자들의 활동과 그 지향

Abstract

Chinese archaeology exhibits a unique orientation. It treats archaeology as a subdiscipline of history, understanding its scholarly purpose as contributing to restoring history through material evidence. While emphasizing strong empirical traditions in the typological study and dating of artifacts and sites, theoretical exploration is relatively rare. This orientation includes a cultural-evolutionary emphasis on highlighting the distinctiveness of Chinese civilization while positioning it within a global historical perspective. Overall, Chinese archaeology, while focusing on the study of material culture, notably concentrates on affirming the uniqueness and excellence of its civilization, coupled with a robust historical orientation. The social environment shaped the tradition of Chinese archaeology during the transplantation of archaeology to China. Influenced by the May Fourth Movement in 1919, China’s traditional academic system collapsed, shaking the established historical framework. In such an environment, Chinese intellectuals fervently hoped to construct a new history on the ruins of the old, seeking to reaffirm national unity, resist imperialist aggression, and alleviate the darkness of reality by reaffirming their rich cultural heritage. Western modern archaeology, entering the Chinese perspective around this time, seemed to be a powerful tool to fulfill these aspirations. The key figures who took on this task and held a central position were generally researchers who had specialized in archaeology directly or indirectly through studying abroad. They came into contact with the new discipline of archaeology in the West, introduced it to China in earnest, and subsequently exerted a decisive influence on the direction of Chinese archaeology’s development. This article examines the activities and scholarly orientations of prominent figures and administrators such as Li Ji (李濟, 1896~1979), Liang Shiyong (梁思永, 1904~1954), and Xia Nai (夏鼐, 1910~1985), who, during the early introduction of archaeology to China, studied Western modern archaeology during their overseas studies, then led research in Chinese archaeology upon returning home, thereby establishing the academic tradition and status of Chinese archaeology. In a tumultuous and challenging era, those who demonstrated remarkable activities shared a historical context of imperialist aggression and a stage — the Institute of History and Philology within the Academia Sinica. This provided a common direction to their research endeavors. They sought to construct a new national history through archaeology. The establishment of modern national histories, reaching back not only to the Three Dynasties within the traditional historical framework but even further, was a shared goal among them. However, it had to be based on data obtained through archaeological means sanctified by modern science. The history thus established had to be crafted and developed by the hands of the Chinese. A deep-seated cultural pride among the Chinese countered Western assertions that their culture was derivative and secondary, though this did not imply a nationalist exclusivity. They believed that China’s culture and history, rooted in its soil, could shine even brighter when considered on a global scale. Having already experienced the world through Western education, they hoped for a fair evaluation of China’s history and culture on the international stage.