Marxist Influence on Archaeology in China, 1949–1976

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ID: 322008
2026
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Abstract
Abstract From the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to the present, many prominent Chinese archaeologists have referred to Marxism, a shorthand for Marxism-Leninism-Mao Zedong Thought, as the guiding ideology (指導思想) of Chinese archaeology. This chapter examines the impact of Marxism on the history and development of archaeology in the PRC, primarily in the period from 1949 to 1976. These years were characterised by intense political upheavals as well as the rapid expansion and professionalisation of archaeology as a discipline. The analysis briefly extends to post-1976 developments to highlight enduring Marxist influences in the field. Situating the development of archaeology in the contexts of Soviet influence, socialist industrialisation, and political campaigns, this chapter shows how different versions of Marxism in archaeology have been closely wedded to the political mobilisation of different segments of society, with far-reaching influence on all aspects of archaeological practice in China. Four recurring themes are central to this Marxist influence: materialism, dialectics, social evolution, and state regulation. In demonstrating the transformative impact of Marxism on the disciplinary outlook of archaeology, this chapter underscores the need to understand the historical and ongoing interplay between Marxist state ideology and archaeological discourse and practice in China. This study is also timely in light of emerging trends in the Xi Jinping era, in which ideology and archaeology are overtly intertwined in nationalist narratives and state-sponsored projects.
Reference Key
openalex_W7170073762 Use this key to autocite in the manuscript while using SciMatic Manuscript Manager or Thesis Manager
Authors ZHOU Danlei, Guo Peng Chen 陈国鹏
Journal Oxford University Press eBooks
Year 2026
DOI
10.1093/oxfordhb/9780197800324.013.0020
URL
https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780197800324.013.0020
Keywords Keywords not found

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