Archaeology's past shapes its future in China

In 1926, Chinese archaeologists began excavations at the Xiyin site in Xiaxian county, Yuncheng. The work marked the first modern scientific archaeological excavation in China independently led by a Chinese scholar. To commemorate the centenary of the excavation, a seminar was also held during the congress.

Following the opening ceremony, six scholars delivered keynote speeches presenting recent archaeological discoveries from across China.

This year's congress features 28 professional committees and more than 570 presentations across 28 parallel sessions. The sessions cover different historical periods and areas of research, including underwater archaeology, environmental archaeology and archaeometry.

The program also includes 22 public lectures in Yuncheng, offering local residents an opportunity to engage with archaeological research and explore the country's rich historical record.