新疆考古述略

An Outline of Xinjiang Archaeology

从1900年发现楼兰古城开始,新疆考古历经百年。20世纪70年代以来发现了旧石器晚期遗存和一批中、新石器时代的典型石器;提出了新疆青铜时代、早期铁器时代等概念;发掘了天山北路、孔雀河古墓沟等青铜时代墓葬,确认了焉不拉克、苏贝希、察吾乎沟口、伊犁河流域等早期铁器时代文化。汉代以后的楼兰、尼雅等系列考古发现为世界所瞩目。

Xinjiang archaeology has undergone a 100-year course since its beginning with the discovery of ancient Loulan City in 1900. Before 1949, its academic accomplishments drew attention from international academic circles. But the work was basically in the hand of foreign scholars. Since the founding of New China, especially since the 1970s, breakthroughs have been made in this field. Upper Paleolithic remains were discovered near the city of ancient Jiaohe, and typical stone tools presumably assigned to the Mesolithic and Neolithic ages were brought to light on the Qijiaojing and Astana sites. Researchers put forward the concepts Xinjiang Bronze and eary Iron ages. Tombs of the Bronze Age were excavated along the North Tianshan Road and at Gumugou on the Peacock River. A series of early Iron Age cultural complexes have been established, such as the Yanbulake, Subeixi, Chawuhu Ravine and Ili River Valley cultures. Concerning the Han period and after, many findings in the archaeology of Loulan, Niya and the Keriya River valley attracted worldwide attention once again.