The Creation And Operation Of Modern Chinese Historical Association

Modern Chinese Historical Association appeared in the early 20th century after the New Culture Movement. A variety of historical associations shot along with the accelerating pace of modern scholarship, and Shandong Historical Site Research Association was one of them. It played an important role in both the discovery and the study of Longshan Culture and earned high reputation in archaeology and historical world of Shandong.As a representative association of the first cooperation between Central and Local authorities, Shandong Historical Site Research Association has a profound historical, social background. Here are some important factors that accelerated its establishment. One is Modern Western archeology spread in China in late 19th and early 20th centuries, which prompted the birth of Chinese modern archeology and created an indispensable condition for the development of archeology in Shandong and well prepared for the establishment of Shandong Historical Site Research Association. Another factor is the viewpoint of Chinese culture (civilization)coming from the West, plus the others including the Big War of Zhong Yuan, the new archaeological clue discovered by Wu Jinding, and the consistency of Academia Sinica, Institute of History and Philology and Shandong Provincial Government in culture and education all contributed to the establishment of Shandong Historical Site Research Association.On Nov.4th,1930, Shandong Historical Site Research Association was founded officially, the ceremony of which was hold in Engineering Institute of Qingdao University. The first public excavation was carried out in Cheng Ziya heritage site. The second excavation was organized by Liang Siyong start from Oct.9,1931. The two excavations made great achievement and the archeological report Cheng ZiYa was published in 1934. Further more, Shandong Historical Site Research Association also carried out other large-scale excavations, such as Anshang Village heritage site, Caowang Tomb and Liangcheng County heritage site respectively in Teng County and Ri Zhao. Both of the two excavations made significant achievements. The Excavating of Anshang Village heritage site and the clearing up of Caowang Tomb supplied good data and material for tracking down ancient Chinese history and culture, for understanding Longshan Culture. It also put Longshan Culture an important position in the origin of Chinese ancient civilization, and it further proved Chinese culture beginning in the East.Shandong Historical Site Research Association made huge achievements in hosting the four heritage site excavation. However, among the huge difficulties confronted during excavation, the venue of Historical Site Research Association—or the accommodation of the staff was the most difficult one. The office of the Association and the accommodation for the working staff are basic necessity because it directly affects the whole excavation work. During the eight years since the establishment of Historical Site Research Association, this problem was never solved completely. The general venue transition was:from Engineering Institute of Qingdao University in Jinan to ZhangGongCi, then to LiGongCi, then to the west building of Shandong Provincial Hospital and finally to Kui Virtual Book Hidden building of Shandong Provincial Library. Admittedly, the frequent move of venue reflected the difficult survival conditions. It also reflected the aggressive and optimistic spirit of the Chinese scholars.The significant achievements made by Shandong Historical Site Research Association were inseparable with its unique team work. Historical Site Research Association successfully developed the way of Group Research Team invented by Fu Sinian, which is to unite scholars from different areas with various educational background, special skills and make good use of their huge academic energy. This Group Research Team is the requirement of the time and the trend of academic development, from which Shandong Historical Site Research Association both benefited and developed this pattern to a larger and broader area.Shandong Historical Site Research Association not only had the outstanding talent team but also showed its unique features while the other associations were lacking of. The features include:the unique operation system—Official top-down protection chain, penetrating in all official levels; The strict and official membership approval system; the stable funding source. The negotiation with the Ministry of Railways and publication of ChengZiYa showed the priority of Shandong Historical Site Research Association in Chinese archeology field.The first cooperation between Central and Local authorities had fulfilled great success and gained credit among many famous scholars. As a result, the experience was promoted and expanded to the other parts of China. Thereafter, Henan Historical Site Research Association and Shanxi Archaeology Association were established after. Besides its influence on the establishment of other similar archaeological excavation organizations, the most significant effects are its contribution to the newly founded Chinese Archaeology, the foundation for the establishment of Chinese archaeology system, the enrichment of the academic research field on Longshan culture, its definite decision of the origin of Chinese civilization, a group of experts trained, the link strengthened between Archaeology and History, and the impetus of the historical science development.