Introduction Review of the Web sites Modern Chinese archaeology really began in 1921 for Chinese archaeology when the Yangshao Village sites in Henan were first excavated by Johan G. Andersson, and the rest Ka-wai Fan and of the twentieth century brought extraordinary archaeological finds to light in China. Since Celine Yuen Yan Lai liberation in 1949, under the auspices of the Chinese Government, archaeological excavation has flourished in every corner of the country as a way to uncover and protect China’s rich cultural heritage. By contributing more of its unique archaeological findings and theories, and by participating in some of the more important comparative studies taking place internationally, China can take its place on the world stage of archaeological history. With such a vast territory and an abundance of The authors historical and cultural legacies, China witnesses new discoveries of archaeological ruins on a Ka-wai Fan is a Lecturer and Celine Yuen Yan Lai is a Research regular basis. It is therefore no easy task for Assistant, both at the Chinese Civilisation Center, City University archaeologists to keep abreast of the latest of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. developments, but with the increasing popularity Keywords and proliferation of the Internet, archaeologists can obtain up-to-date information from relevant Worldwide web, China, Archaeology, Classification Web sites and publish their latest research online for others to share. Web sites are simply a unique Abstract tool for disseminating and accessing information, The ability to sift through the ever-increasing amounts of and as long as caution is used, the Internet really information made available online to find quality and accurate can open up a wide world of knowledge that data is becoming more important every day. Using credibility, historically has never been available before on such accuracy, reasonableness, support, and uniqueness as criteria for a wide scale, or so easily. This article is a result of Web site evaluation, the authors analyse five Web sites in an effort to determine the value and quality of the information. This visiting and evaluating many Web sites in an effort article discusses the evaluation of Web sites dedicated to to highlight some of the most informative and Chinese archaeology, and also points to six main characters of useful for archaeologists, students, teachers, online resources for the subject area. In addition, questions are librarians and other interested people. raised concerning the extent to which online Chinese archaeological resources can advance general awareness of the field and contribute to a growing body of knowledge. The authors hope this article sheds light on some of the challenges Aims and objectives that need to be overcome when attempting to present this information to the global community. In the light of the relatively few articles highlighting Chinese archaeological Web sites and Electronic access the issues surrounding them, the purpose of the The Emerald Research Register for this journal is present paper is to discuss some of the features and available at characteristics found in these Web sites. Good Web www.emeraldinsight.com/researchregister sites can provide readers with the latest The current issue and full text archive of this journal is information and also help point out trends in the available at development of Chinese archaeology, but what www.emeraldinsight.com/0001-253X.htm constitutes a good Web site? The Internet is a very important search tool for faculty members and students. Currently, many disciplines are dependent on the Internet for the

Received 17 November 2003 Aslib Proceedings: New Information Perspectives Revised 3 February 2004 Volume 56 · Number 4 · 2004 · pp. 255-264 Accepted 10 April 2004 q Emerald Group Publishing Limited · ISSN 0001-253X The authors would like to express their thanks to DOI 10.1108/00012530410549286 Moya Mason for her help. 255 Review of the Web sites for Chinese archaeology Aslib Proceedings: New Information Perspectives Ka-wai Fan and Celine Yuen Yan Lai Volume 56 · Number 4 · 2004 · 255-264 dissemination of information. In fact, many (5) oracle-bone inscriptions; and professors and scholars use online resources to (6) excavated documents. further their own research. However, simply using The Web sites are listed in the Appendix. Many are a search engine, such as Google or Yahoo, to look in Chinese or a combination of Chinese and for information will not necessarily lead to quality English. The five English sites which were the most resources, and is more likely to provide a large comprehensive were then chosen from the list and number of unordered results to sift through. Many were analysed for their quality. Analysis was done useless items are also included in the results, and using Robert Harris’s CARS Checklist, a tool that quality cannot be assured. Susan Herring offers some general criteria for evaluating the conducted a survey on faculty satisfaction of the quality of Web sites. A summary of the CARS Internet as a research tool and pointed out that Checklist for research source evaluation follows: “although faculty members are generally satisfied . Credibility . Trustworthy source, author’s with the Web, they question the accuracy and credentials, evidence of quality control, reliability of much Web-based information and the known or respected authority, organizational sufficiency of Web resources for research” support. (Herring, 2001, p. 213). It is therefore not . Accuracy . Up to date, factual, detailed, exact, surprising that users are concerned with how to comprehensive, audience and purpose reflect evaluate the quality of online information and, in intentions of completeness and accuracy. particular, how to establish what constitutes . Reasonableness. Fair, balanced, objective, accuracy, reliability, and the overall usefulness of reasoned, no conflict of interest, absence of online resources (Harris, 1997; Alexander and fallacies or slanted tone. Tate, 1999; Kovacs, 2000). . Support . Listed sources, contact information, This study will examine the following issues: available corroboration, claims supported, . How can a user know if a Web site on Chinese documentation supplied (Harris, 1997). archaeology contains reliable and accurate information? The above four criteria were used for evaluating . What should one look for in assessing the Chinese archaeological Web sites. In addition, reliability and accuracy of online information “uniqueness” was added as a qualifier, since Web relating to Chinese archaeology? sites specializing in archaeology can provide . How can quality be evaluated? unique features and information, and by doing so . What are the things to take into account when offer access to rare data and attract repeat visitors. developing a Web site for Chinese archaeological information? To summarise, this article presents an overview of Evaluating Chinese archaeological Web criteria that can be used to establish quality for sites online Chinese archaeological information, and makes recommendations for promoting Chinese At the time this article was written, using Google archaeology in a global context. In addition, an to search for Chinese archaeology resulted in attempt was made to categorize the types of online 201,000 hits, while Yahoo provided 135,000 hits, information available for Chinese archaeology. By numbers that users find overwhelming. Making highlighting what is available and presenting some use of such a large volume of material is difficult, of the tools for assessing quality, the authors hope especially when there are no overt pointers to that this article can contribute to the general quality information. Most people prefer quality to awareness of Chinese archaeological online quantity, and need to learn the skills required for resources and help to empower archaeological finding information of that kind. In this case, how users. could one sift through the Web sites and decide whether one is useful or not?

Method Evaluating the “Chinese Studies WWW Virtual Library: Archaeology” Web site The authors conducted a number of Web searches (evaluation date 29 January 2004) to compile a list of sites on Chinese archaeology . Credentials of author, or authority . The level of and placed them into six categories: authority and trustworthiness of this site is (1) academic and museum Web sites; quite high because it is a part of the University (2) Sino-foreign cooperation; of Melbourne’s East Asian Collection of (3) reading groups; virtual resources, created and maintained by (4) archaeological Web sites and tourism; university librarians. 256 Review of the Web sites for Chinese archaeology Aslib Proceedings: New Information Perspectives Ka-wai Fan and Celine Yuen Yan Lai Volume 56 · Number 4 · 2004 · 255-264

. Accuracy/currency . The site is comprehensive, . Accuracy/currency . It is not a good sign when with links to information on Chinese the homepage contains information about an architecture, archaeology, bibliographies, upcoming conference and a new bibliography, history, and arts, to name but a few. Created in both dated 2001. However, the site does 1996 and last updated late in 2003, this is a contain a great deal of excellent and detailed long-term project which is fairly up to date. information, such as a Silk Road chronology Users should always check the dates on Web and a bibliography on the Silk Road, sites for currency of information. contributed by experts in the field. . Reasonableness . The information found on this . Reasonableness . A wide range of quality portal site is basically a collection of links, so information which seems objective. conflicts of interest and slanted tones are not . Support . Research is supported by extensive real concerns. The authors list a large number bibliographies, and many of the articles are of links, which is a good indication that a wide from peer-reviewed journals. Contact range of information is available for interested information is also included. users. . Uniqueness . Web site includes unique maps, . Support . Names of the site creator and timelines, comprehensive bibliographies with coordinator are listed, along with copyright full citations, images, and research studies. information, and by following a few links it is Evaluating the “Society for the Study of Early easy to find e-mail addresses and phone China” Web site (evaluation date 23 April 2004) numbers. . Credentials of author, or authority . The Web site . Uniqueness . This Web site does not offer much is for a non-profit, scholarly organization, with that is unique beyond the inclusion of Chinese editors and members from prestigious characters and occasional instructions for academic institutions around the world. It is browsers. hosted by the University of Chicago. Evaluating the “Ancient East Asia” Web site . Accuracy/currency . Sections of the site were (evaluation date 30 January 2004) recently updated, such as the page on news . Credentials of author, or authority . The names of and events. The publications section is a some of the contributors and editors are listed disappointment because the two journals that on the site. They are professors and scholars are published by the society list no articles from international institutes. dated later than 2002. It is unclear whether . Accuracy/currency . Many of the Web site’s the journals are no longer being published or sections contain information including news, whether the latest issues were not uploaded to conference reports, and members’ items. The the site. Overall, this is a factual and information provided is assured to be current comprehensive site with a lot of information. because written dates are also available. A . Reasonableness . The site seems to meet the series of factual and detailed reports is objectives of the society by offering a number of available on the site, but this would not be a interesting documents and links to outside site to visit for the latest resources or findings resources, such as the Scripta Sinica (Chinese on Chinese archaeology. text retrieval system, Academia Sinica), and an . Reasonableness . There is a wide range of Etymological Dictionary of Common Chinese information on the site and no apparent Characters , in a fair and balanced tone. conflicts of interest or prejudices. . Support . Online documents are supported by . Support . Contact information is supplied and bibliographies, and expert input is evidenced many of the papers are written by experts with by the existence of academic journals doctorate degrees. In-depth instructions are published by the society. There is easy-to-find also provided for Web site submissions, contact information, and the near 30-year although papers are not scrutinized by a legacy of the society to support its quality. selection of peers. . Uniqueness . The site offers some unique . Uniqueness . The site offers unique additions, including a database of early bibliographies. Chinese manuscripts, and a bibliography of materials pertaining to the Kuo-tien and Evaluating the “Silk Road Foundation” Web Shanghai Museum Manuscripts. site (evaluation date 31 January 2004) . Credentials of author, or authority . A number of Evaluating the “Ancient Chinese Rice prestigious academic institutions participate Archaeology Project” Web site (evaluation in the site, such as the Center for Chinese date 23 April 2004) Studies at the University of Michigan and Dunhuang Research Academy. There is a high . Credentials of author, or authority . Authors and level of quality control. contributors are respected researchers in the 257 Review of the Web sites for Chinese archaeology Aslib Proceedings: New Information Perspectives Ka-wai Fan and Celine Yuen Yan Lai Volume 56 · Number 4 · 2004 · 255-264

field, as well as interested professionals from techniques they have historically used in evaluating around the world. The project is funded by the print reference tools when they review Web sites National Geographic Society, and managed for inclusion in such portals; and since these types by the Canadian Museum of Civilization. The of Web pages are considered reference tools, they site is hosted by the Sociology and are normally reviewed and updated quite regularly, Anthropology Department, Carleton and have a high degree of credibility and accuracy University, Ottawa, Canada. built in. . Accuracy/currency . Some of the Web site’s Silkroad Foundation, Ancient East Asia and information appears up to date, and includes Society for the Study of Early China are all Web recently uploaded articles translated into sites of scholarly organizations of Chinese English (e.g. “Traditional farming views in archaeology created by overseas scholars, and have Chinese dietary culture” by Ming-an Zhai, a high degree of credibility and accuracy. Besides and “Population pressure and growth of providing membership services, they are also Chinese primitive agriculture” by Jiange interchange centres for Chinese archaeology. The Wang). There is no indication that the project members are mostly expert scholars and provide is no longer funded, but the information complete and excellent bibliographical databases. seems incomplete. The online materials are richly inclusive and . Reasonableness . The site contains information valuable as research information for scholars of on the Chinese Rice Archaeological Project, Chinese archaeology, but all three sites have some and reports some of the findings in a fair and dated sections and would not necessarily be good easy to understand manner. sites to visit for the latest resources or findings on . Support . Contact information is posted for the Chinese archaeology. All three contain a wide lead researcher, along with the project history range of quality information that meets the and a preliminary report. objectives of the participating societies, and are . Uniqueness . Unique photographs from presented in a fair and balanced manner. Research excavation sites and traditional music files are materials are supported by documentation, added features. extensive bibliographies, and expert opinion. Web sites created and maintained outside China Finally, unique features are prevalent and include are not necessarily able to obtain first-hand specialized maps, noteworthy studies, and field archaeological findings, so in most cases they images. The Ancient East Asia site has the contain different types of information, such as Bibliography of Western-Language Works on East links to important secondary data. Undoubtedly, Asian Archaeology, while the Society for the Study these Web sites offer information on Chinese of Early China site offers the Database of Early archaeology: however, the most informative sites, Chinese manuscripts, conference reports, research offering the latest primary data on Chinese notes and bibliographies, including a Bibliography archaeology, are written in Chinese. Excavated of Materials Pertaining to the Kuo-tien and Chinese materials are not only essential to the Shanghai Museum Manuscripts; Ancient Chinese study of Chinese civilization, but are also of great Civilization: Bibliography of Materials in Western value to the study of world civilization, and should Languages; and Early China (2001-2002) annual be shared. Presently, this is not happening since bibliographies. most up-to-date Chinese archaeological findings Many Web sites, such as the Ancient Chinese are not written in English. Rice Archaeology Project site, have resources on For example, Chinese Studies WWW Virtual Chinese archaeological research projects and are Library: Archaeology is an integrated English Web highly sophisticated, offering quality and valuable site and acts as a portal, providing links to other information. The Ancient Chinese Rice Web sites on Chinese archaeology. The site can Archaeological Project site is a good example serve as an introductory guide, but does not because it provides a downloadable database of provide any research information, just links to it, articles for the research project and is based on and the sheer number of links can prove daunting field data collected by experts who were funded by to many users. Other disadvantages of such sites prestigious organizations, such as the National include not being able to offer the most up-to-date Geographic Society. Some sections of the Ancient news and unique information, and the need to Chinese Rice Archaeology Project Web site appear periodically check linked Web sites in order to to be out of date, and there is no indication that the make sure they are still available. On the other project is still being funded. hand, the advantages of having such a site created For Web sites of this kind it may not be and maintained by academic librarians are necessary to update the content on a regular basis, numerous: research methodologies were certainly especially after the research is completed. The sites used to compile the list; librarians use some of the contain research results compiled by experts and 258 Review of the Web sites for Chinese archaeology Aslib Proceedings: New Information Perspectives Ka-wai Fan and Celine Yuen Yan Lai Volume 56 · Number 4 · 2004 · 255-264 reviewed articles and, as a result, the contents can their Web sites is the most up to date, reliable, and be considered very reliable. Regional Lifeways and even exclusive – or should be. Cultural Remains in the Northern Corridor: Museums are highly credible institutions and Chifeng International Collaborative can also be good sources for information related to Archaeological Research Project; The Origins and Chinese archaeology, especially for unique visual Formative Processes of the Chinese People; Lost aids such as photographs. For example, the Web Cities of the Silk Road: A Space-Age Search for site of Sanxingdui Museum in Guanghan, Sichuan Relics of Eurasia’s Distant Past; Fossil Evidence Province, has 15 high-resolution photographs that for Human Evolution, and The World of depict the most important pieces of bronze held by Xuanzang and the Silk Road are other valuable the museum. The bronzes are among some of the sites in this genre. Uniqueness is often a hallmark most striking archaeological finds in the field of of archaeological research project Web sites, since Chinese archaeology. As with all museum Web the information is highly specialized and sites, the content serves many purposes, and often referential. lacks detailed explanations of particular artefacts, As can be seen, it is not necessary for a Web site concentrating instead on giving an overview of the to receive full marks when evaluated with the collections. Museum Web sites that have some CARS Checklist to be considered a valuable resources for Chinese archaeology include: Beijing source for information. A site can still be highly Cultural Museum Information Net; Jiangsu regarded and contain quality information, just as Province Cultural Museum Information Net; long as users are critical when reviewing online Brilliant Sanxingdu; Zhoukoudian Site Museum; sources and keep the evaluative criteria in mind. It Hemudu Site Museum; Xian Banpo Museum; and is equally important for Web site creators to be Liangzhu Culture Museum. conscious of the qualities that are expected in good Web sites: uploading a site and not updating it leaves a lot to be desired, since Web sites should be Sino-foreign Web sites interactive and current. In terms of technical Chinese archaeological institutions generally lack quality, decreasing the file sizes of images and sufficient funding and the technological facilities multimedia features is also important. Visitors to needed to conduct extensive archaeological Web sites expect to get the information they surveys and excavations. Fortunately, overseas require quickly and easily, and do not want to scholars and institutes interested in Chinese spend a lot of time downloading files, especially if archaeology are eager to participate by allocating their usefulness is uncertain. funds and providing technical assistance. Regional Lifeways and Cultural Remains in the Northern Corridor: Chifeng International Collaborative Archaeological Research Project and Yi-Luo River Categorization of Chinese archaeology Survey are two Web sites that highlight joint Web sites excavation projects between China and foreign countries. Sino-foreign cooperation is an Academic and museum Web sites important trend in the current development of According to the above evaluation criteria, archaeology in China and, in part, facilitates work Chinese archaeology Web sites established by in the field. Interested scholars can stay current by Chinese official and academic institutes are highly reading the information provided by the Web sites regarded for their credibility and accuracy. The of these cooperative projects, and can be assured of Web sites for Chinese Archaeology, Chinese credibility, accuracy, and often timely data that are Cultural Relics News Network and the Center for unique. the Study of Chinese Archaeology, Peking Simultaneously, studies of tangible University, were created and are supported by archaeological finds collected for and housed in some of the most authoritative academic institutes various museums and libraries are also made and archaeological bureaus in China. The Institute available on the Internet. The Web site for the of Archaeology, the Chinese Academy of Social International Dunhuang Project is the most Sciences, the State Administration of Cultural remarkable collaborative venture in the world. Heritage of the People’s Republic of China and the Participating institutes include the Bibliothe`que Center for the Study of Chinese Archaeology, nationale de France in Paris, The British Library Peking University, are all official institutes at the in London, The Institute of Oriental Studies in St forefront of coordinating and participating in Petersburg, the National Library of China in archaeological excavations in China. These Beijing, The National Museum in New Delhi and institutes possess the most direct access to the Staatsbibliothek in Berlin. Their common excavation news and recent archaeological interest is The Silk Road. The Silk Road was a vital research. As a result, the information provided on communication line in ancient times, connecting 259 Review of the Web sites for Chinese archaeology Aslib Proceedings: New Information Perspectives Ka-wai Fan and Celine Yuen Yan Lai Volume 56 · Number 4 · 2004 · 255-264

China and the Middle East. During the Han and on Bamboo and Silk Slips versus Reading Group Tang Dynasties, merchants, monks and other for New Slips Stored in Shanghai Museum, travellers frequented the road, leaving many traces Reading Group for Newly-Unearthed Literature of themselves behind. on Philosophical Writing, Reading Group on The twentieth century brought scholars from Ruoshui Bamboo Slips, Reading Group on “The Britain, France, Russia and Japan to Xinjiang and Book of Songs” Excavated in Fuyang, and Gansu provinces (Dunhuang is located in Gansu Research on Dunhuang Manuscripts, Niigata Province) to hunt for treasures linking back to that University are all Web sites of established reading time. Cultural relics from The Silk Road taken out groups in Taiwan and Japan which offer the of China astonished world archaeological circles opportunity to participate through the use of the and opened a new chapter in the archaeology of Internet. In addition to publishing discussions, the The Silk Road. Silk Road discoveries include Web sites also provide online versions of the frescoes, literary documents, Buddhist relics and documents as well as research achievements many more historical objects. Countries are relating to the topics. This genre of Web sites cooperating because they have a large number of incorporates elements of uniqueness, credibility, unique Silk Road relics and excavated documents currency, support and reasonableness in a very which they removed from China in the beginning distinct and sophisticated manner. of the twentieth century and are now eager to pool resources and work to put the pieces together. This cooperative project utilizes the Internet to bring together photographs of cultural relics and Archaeological and tourism Web sites scanned copies of important documents, which are After 1949, cultural relics departments were presently scattered across the world. Through established by the Chinese central government as effective use of the Internet, scholars and libraries well as by local governments. Archaeological work from many different countries are now able to once again resumed and a large number of share their resources and use primary sources to prehistoric ruins were discovered. Such discoveries further Silk Road research. brought along many new and important Sino-foreign cooperation should be perspectives regarding the origin and development encouraged. Since research materials generated by of ancient Chinese civilization (Chang, 1986). Sino-foreign research projects are mostly written Web sites focusing on the prehistory of China in English, these types of projects along with their contributed different and useful resources which Web sites are important channels for disseminating are important to the current debates on the origins unique information, and for shedding some light of civilization, agriculture and prehistoric culture globally on archaeological developments in China in world archaeology. so that others can make use of the important Web sites on Chinese prehistoric archaeology research that is taking place in the country. In are often museum Web sites, such as those addition, given the number of possible sites in mentioned previously in this article. More often China that remain untouched because of financial than not, museums are built in places where large- constraints, Sino-foreign cooperative projects scale archaeological excavations have been could prove critical in uncovering hidden secrets. completed, and function as research, education and entertainment venues, as do their Web sites. The introduction of museums and excavation sites Reading group Web sites can also promote local tourism in a real way. In Specialized Web sites are currently providing fact, tourist information is often included on Chinese archaeologists and enthusiasts with the museum Web sites in China. opportunity to participate in reading groups by The Yin-Shang Culture Web site was drawing together like-minded scholars who want established by the municipal government of to discuss subjects of common interest. This form Anyang as a way of providing historical of study originated in Sinological circles in Japan, information about the area and to promote local and sees teachers leading study groups that read tourism. Cultural relics obtained from and discuss particular documents. This approach archaeological excavations and subsequent has gradually influenced academic circles in academic research can bring about significant Taiwan, where the formation of reading groups of economic benefits. Profits from tourism generate professors and graduate and undergraduate funding for more archaeological excavation students has become very popular and is a great projects and create mutual benefits for both local resource of unique information (Fan, 2003). In government and archaeological organizations. Mainland China, however, this way of studying is Many other cities, including Gaoyou, Anshan, and still relatively unusual. The Origins and Formative Linyi have developed Web sites that spotlight Processes of the Chinese People, Daoist Materials archaeological excavations with the hope of 260 Review of the Web sites for Chinese archaeology Aslib Proceedings: New Information Perspectives Ka-wai Fan and Celine Yuen Yan Lai Volume 56 · Number 4 · 2004 · 255-264 attracting tourists with money to spend and bamboo and silk pieces because they remained funding for more digs. buried. Bamboo and silk slips were widely Web site users must be aware that although discovered in Gansu, Hubei and Hunan provinces. there is a degree of credibility and support Up to the present, an astonishing 200,000 pieces associated with these types of sites, there is also a of bamboo and silk have been discovered in China, need for caution when information is presented, in and even more are being found in newly discovered part to attract tourist dollars from both inside and graves. New bamboo and silk pieces are regularly outside China. The information contained in such discovered, causing excitement in archaeological, sites may not be totally accurate, and since historical and also philosophical circles. government officials are not archaeological experts Most of the documents excavated from they cannot be expected to present the latest Dunhuang are from the Tang Dynasty. Those archaeological information to users. In addition, excavated from other tombs mostly focus on there is a real danger of Web sites becoming more philosophical history from the pre-Qin to the Han commercialised and much less academic if more period. Modern scholars attach great importance and more Web sites are developed and supported to these new resources of excavated documents by local governments and tourism companies in since they influence the direction of thought and China. contribute to an understanding of history. As a result, a large number of Web sites contain Oracle-bone inscriptions Web sites excavated bamboo and silk documents, providing A large number of Web sites are dedicated to the retrieval and perusal services. transmission of primary Chinese archaeological Books written on bamboo and silk slips were information in the form of oracle-bone largely philosophical, military and official inscriptions. The Yin-Shang dynasty has long been documents. As the most truthful and direct well documented in Chinese historical texts. Ever documentation of people in ancient times, they are since the beginning of the excavation of the Ruins precious primary materials for historical and of Yin in Anyang, a large number of oracle-bone philosophical studies. The discovery of bamboo inscriptions have been unearthed in the Ruins of and silk slips is of tremendous significance, not Yin and they are comparable to the descriptions of only providing materials for the study of ancient the Shang history in Shi Ji (Historical Records). history and culture, but also helping to modify Oracle-bone inscriptions are writings on tortoise many age-old myths about China. shells. People in the Shang Dynasty were very Research Group for Images and Artifacts, superstitious, believing that everything in life was Institute of History and Philology, Academia preordained by ancestors and God in Heaven. No Sinica Language; Resource Library for Wu matter what they did they would first ask advice Bamboo Slips during the Three Kingdoms at from the gods and spirits by practising divination. Zoumalou: Jia He Li Min Tian Jia; and CHANT: Oracle-bone inscriptions were the records of their A Computerized Database of the Excavated divination. As a reflection of the political, cultural, Wood/Bamboo and Silk Scripts contain social and technological situations at the time, searchable electronic databases of excavated these records are the most important keys to manuscripts. The first two provide a free service, understanding the history of the Shang Dynasty. while the third is fee-based. All are high-ranked Highly unique information can be expected on this Web sites because the authors responsible for the type of Web site, supported by credible sources content are also experts in related fields and and accurate data that is presented in a fair and provide clear and detailed instructions, which is supportable manner. However, each site will need especially useful for researchers. to be examined individually to guarantee quality. Some sites require users to pay to view the inscriptions. A degree of caution should be Archaeological electronic journal Web sites displayed in such cases. Chinese archaeological Web sites often post research papers by scholars. Web sites of research Excavated documents Web sites societies and reading groups also publish the From the Warring States to the Wei-Jin Periods, research achievements of their members. the terms “bamboo and silk” or “bamboo slips” Electronic journals (e-journals) are also playing an were generally used for writing materials such as increasingly important role in scholarly bamboo, wood, cloth and silk. Bamboo and silk communication (Harter and Kim, 1996). Internet were not abandoned until papermaking became Archaeology is an established refereed e-journal increasingly popular. In ancient times, people from the Archaeology Department at York buried bamboo and silk slips with the dead. University, UK, and Stanford Journal of Ancient historians never had the chance to see the Archaeology is an online, peer-reviewed journal 261 Review of the Web sites for Chinese archaeology Aslib Proceedings: New Information Perspectives Ka-wai Fan and Celine Yuen Yan Lai Volume 56 · Number 4 · 2004 · 255-264 from the Archaeology Center at Stanford pictures can also add vital information for readers University, California. about Chinese archaeology. Professors and researchers alike are no longer The authors believe that Web sites devoted to using the library in traditional ways, and go to the research projects are relatively more professional library less and less, choosing to use Internet and of a higher quality. The participants in these resources instead (Albanese and Oder, 2002). It research projects are mostly professors and experts would be very beneficial to scholars if tables of who have spent a considerable amount of time in contents and abstracts for more Chinese and the field. Should more research projects be made English journals on Chinese archaeology were available online? This would be most beneficial to made available online. E-journals may even be the field of archaeology, and would not only included in Science Citation Index – Expanded and increase the number of professional archaeological Social Science Citation Index . However, to date, Web sites, but would also provide more there are no peer-reviewed e-journals for Chinese opportunities for experts and interested readers to archaeology. exchange information and experience more There are many journals on Chinese effectively. archaeology, yet only a few can be accessed on the Chinese archaeological Web sites often post Internet. Scholars must resort to journal research papers by scholars. Web sites of research databases such as CNKI and Wanfang Data to societies and reading groups also publish the access them, and even then not many journals on research achievements of their members. Chinese archaeology are retrievable. In addition, Professors and researchers alike are no longer a search of the Internet for some of the most using libraries in traditional ways, and go to the important journals on Chinese archaeology, such as Cultural Relics of Central China , Chinese library less and less, choosing to use Internet Archaeology and Archaeology and Cultural Relics , resources instead (Albanese and Oder, 2002). reveals only tables of contents. In order to Electronic journals are also playing an increasingly download the full texts readers are required to go important role in scholarly communication to a service such as the Superstar Digital Library (Harter and Kim, 1996). Internet Archaeology is an for their fee-charging services. Interested established refereed electronic journal from the scholars should consider publishing more free- Archaeology Department at York University, UK, of-charge electronic journals and newsletters in and Stanford Journal of Archaeology is an online, order to increase opportunities for information peer-reviewed journal from the Archaeology exchange among scholars, researchers, students Center at Stanford University, California. and other interested people. However, to date, there are no peer-reviewed electronic journals for Chinese archaeology. It would be beneficial to scholars if tables of contents and abstracts for more Chinese and English Conclusion journals on Chinese archaeology were made available online. The key for assuring and maintaining the There are many journals on Chinese confidence of readers is to offer as many of the archaeology, yet only a few can be accessed on the elements of credibility, accuracy, reasonableness, Internet. Scholars must resort to journal databases and support as possible. In addition, Web sites such as CNKI (www.cnki.net) and Wanfang Data should also be able to provide unique news and (www.periodicals.net.cn/qikan) to access them, information. Online Chinese archaeological and even then not many journals on Chinese resources advance general awareness of the field archaeology are retrievable. In addition, a search of and contribute to a growing body of knowledge in a global context. Newly found archaeological the Internet for some of the most important materials in China should be announced on Web journals on Chinese archaeology, such as Cultural sites as quickly as possible so as to inform readers Relics of Central China , Chinese Archaeology and both inside and outside China. Archaeology and Cultural Relics , reveals only tables Another element which will add to the of contents. In order to download the full texts international standing of Chinese archaeological readers are required to go to a service such as the finds is to provide bilingual Web sites. In this way, Superstar Digital Library (www.ssreader.com) for non-Chinese speakers can also access Chinese their fee-charging services. Interested scholars archaeological information, which they can should consider publishing more free-of-charge consult and possibly incorporate into their own electronic journals and newsletters in order to research. Allocation of funds for translators would increase opportunities for information exchange help to fill in the information gaps in a significant among scholars, researchers, students and other way. As well as textual information, photos and interested people. 262 Review of the Web sites for Chinese archaeology Aslib Proceedings: New Information Perspectives Ka-wai Fan and Celine Yuen Yan Lai Volume 56 · Number 4 · 2004 · 255-264

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Reading Group on “The Book of Songs” www.scu.edu.tw/philos/bamboo/bamboo/ Excavated in Fuyang (Chinese), http://member. main.htm nifty.ne.jp/lisai/fs/index.htm Reading Group on Ruoshui Bamboo Slips Research on Dunhuang Manuscripts, Niigata (Chinese), www.nchu.edu.tw/history/wood/ University (Japanese), http://h0402.human. windex.htm niigata-u.ac.jp/ ,dunhuang Reading Group on “The Book of Songs” Excavated in Fuyang (Chinese), http://member. Archaeological Web sites and tourism nifty.ne.jp/lisai/fs/index.htm Yin-Shang Culture (Chinese), Chu Bamboo Strip Fascicles (Chinese), http:// www.anyang.gov.cn/yswh/ys bamboo.lib.cuhk.edu.hk Gaoyou City, www.gaoyou.gov.cn/index-e.htm Resource Library for Wu Bamboo Slips during the Anshan, www.anshan.gov.cn/en/bas.asp Three Kingdoms at Zoumalou: Jia He Li Min Tian Linyi city, www.linyi.gov.cn/en/survey.asp Jia (Chinese), http://rhorse.lib.cuhk.edu.hk/ basisbwdocs/rhorse/rhr_main.html CHANT: A Computerized Database of the Oracle-bone inscriptions Web sites Excavated Wood/Bamboo and Silk Scripts Inscriptions and Oracle Bones (English), (Chinese), http://www.chant.org/info/ www.indiana.edu/ ,libeast/oracle.html default_jianbo.asp Yin-Shang Culture (Chinese), The International Dunhuang Project (Chinese, www.anyang.gov.cn/yswh/ys English), http://idp.bl.uk Ancient Writing from the Ruins of Yin (Chinese, Silkroad Foundation (English), www.silk- English), www.npm.gov.tw/exhbition/yin0701/ road.com/toc/index.html yin0701.htm Studies Silkroad Coins and Culture (Chinese), The World of Ancient Writing (Chinese), http:// saturn.ihp.sinica.edu.tw/ ,bronze www.coinet.net Oracle-Bone Inscriptions Literature Library in Dunhuang Academy China (Chinese), China (Chinese), www.cn-oracle.com/index.php www.dha.ac.cn Oracle Bone Culture (Chinese), www.anyang- Institute of Dunhuang Studies of Lanzhou window.com.cn/jiagu University (Chinese), http://dhxyjs.lzu.edu.cn The Ruins of Yin (Chinese), http://jgw.ayinfo.ha.cn Lost Cities of the Silk Road: A Space-Age Search for Relics of Eurasia’s Distant Past (English), www.alumni.caltech.edu/%7Epamlogan/silkroad Excavated documents Merit, Opulence and the Buddhist Network of Bamboo Slips of the Chu State: Database for Wealth (English), http://court.it-services.nwu.edu/ Internet (Japanese), www.asahi-net.or.jp/ dunhuang , YW5A-IWMT/DB/index.htm Research on Dunhuang Manuscripts, Niigata Study of Bamboo and Silk Slips (Chinese), University (Japanese), http://h0402.human. www.jianbo.org niigata-u.ac.jp/ ,dunhuang Research Group for Images and Artifacts, Institute The World of Xuanzang and the Silk Road of History and Philology, Academia Sinica (Chinese, English), http://mars.csie.ntu.edu.tw/ Language (Chinese), http://saturn.ihp.sinica.edu. silk/e-index.html tw/ ,wenwu/ww.htm Chinese Unearthed Materials Society (Japanese, English), www.ricoh.co.jp/net-messena/ ACADEMIA/SHUTSUDO Archaeological electronic journals Archaeological Literature (Chinese), http://hk. China National Knowledge Infrastructure , geocities.com/chinpcp www.cnki.net Daoist Materials on Bamboo and Silk Slips versus Wanfang Data , www.wanfangdata.com.cn Reaging Group for New Slips Stored in Shanghai Internet Archaeology , http://intarch.ac.uk/ Museum (Chinese), www2.scu.edu.tw/philos/p1/ Stanford Journal of Archaeology , http://archaeology. new_page_1.htm stanford.edu/journal/newdraft/contents.html Reading Group for Newly-Unearthed Literature Cultural Relics of Central China , www.chnmus.net/ on Philosophical Writing (Chinese), English/newpage42.htm

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