Teaching Archaeology at Peking University

Su Yi returns to 1979, stepping into a pivotal era for Chinese archaeology. At this time, debates over human origins remain unresolved, and the question of whether rice originated in China is still unanswered. The Erlitou site has not yet been confirmed as the capital of the Xia Dynasty, and the origins of the Shang Dynasty exist only in historical records. The Sanxingdui ruins have not undergone systematic excavation, meaning the bronze sacred trees and gold masks remain buried. The second pit of the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum’s Terracotta Warriors has not been opened, and the first bronze chariot has yet to see the light of day. The Haihunhou Marquis lies unknown in his tomb, and the mystery of Cao Cao’s seventy-two suspect tombs remains unsolved. Facing this golden age of archaeological discovery, Su Yi knows exactly what must be done. He steps forward to uncover these historical treasures, guided by a crucial principle: archaeology is not grave robbery. This distinction is paramount as he navigates the past to reveal the truth hidden beneath the earth.