The journal, Chinese Archaeology, sponsored by the Institute of Archaeology under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, plans to publish one volume each year, introducing China's most important archaeological discoveries and research results of the previous 12 months.

A total of 44 research papers and excavation reports with more than 150 pictures are included in the first volume.

Liu Qingzhu, director of the Institute of Archaeology and editor-in-chief of the journal, said the great achievements of Chinese archaeology had gained a high reputation among international academics.

Scholars outside China were anxious to learn developments in Chinese archaeology, said Liu.

He added that the Institute of Archaeology was committed to introducing Chinese archaeology to the international community, promoting the world's understanding of Chinese archaeology and the academic exchanges between China and the international archaeology community.

More than a dozen internationally-known archaeologists have been invited as advisors to the journal.

Wang Tao, a doctor with the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, said he believed the journal would have a great influence on the exchange of archaeological studies between China and the world.

(Xinhua News Agency March 27, 2002)