夏鼐与西北科学考察团——兼论西北科学考古之肇始

Xia Nai and the Northwest Scientific Expedition——Plus a Discussion on the Beginning of Scientific Archaeology in Northwest China

1943—1945年,夏鼐受“中央研究院”委派参加西北科学考察团历史考古组。他在考古发掘、田野记载和文物保存方面利用科学的方法,是中国学者在西北地区的首次科学考古发掘活动。考察期间,面对严酷的自然环境和复杂的地方民情,夏鼐屡次有效解决,极大地推动考察团顺利进行。考察所获汉简、碑刻、随葬品等文物为研究提供了新材料,至今仍有重要价值。

In 1943-1945, Xia Nai was appointed to the historical archaeology group of the Northwest Scientific Expedition by the Academia Sinica. Professor Xia’s use of scientific methods in archaeological excavation, field documentation and the conservation of cultural relics mark the first scientific archaeological excavation undertaken by Chinese scholars in northwest China.During the expedition, Xia Nai effectively reacted to problems caused by the harsh natural environment and complex geographical conditions, greatly facilitating the progress of the expedition. The artifacts obtained during the expedition, which included Han dynasty slips, stele inscriptions and funerary objects, provided important material for archaeological research and are of great value even today.