2025: Year in Review

Although 2025 has come to an end, there are numerous memorable moments worth cherishing. Let us take stock of the major events that unfolded over the past year.

Archaeological Exploration

7 initiatives of archaeological excavation at heritage sites

Covered 5,057 square meters of excavation area

37 archaeological projects in coordination with infrastructure construction

Excavated an area of 54,000 square meters and 130 ancient tombs

2 “Archaeology of China” Projects

Made progress in the projects

“Research on the Civilization Process in the Central Plains”

 and “Research on Xia Culture”

Launched and implemented 4 special phased research projects

on historical culture in Henan Province

Proactive Excavation Project

Projects in Coordination with Infrastructure Construction

2025 Xia Culture Forum

Cultural Relics Conservation

Completed and put into use the ancient DNA laboratory

Advanced interdisciplinary archaeological research

Renewed multiple equipment

Upgraded cultural relic restoration technologies

Ancient DNA Lab

Cultural Relic Restoration

International Outreach

Hosted multiple domestic and international conferences,

including the Academic Symposium Commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the Discovery of the Zhengzhou Shang Dynasty City

 Completed the fifth year of cooperation in the “China-Kenya Joint Paleolithic Archaeology Project”

Welcomed scholars and experts from various countries for exchange and training programs

Academic Symposium Commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the Discovery of Zhengzhou Shang City

2025 Urban Archaeology and Conservation Forum

2025 Henan Archaeological Achievements Exchange Meeting

Group Photo of the China-Kenya Paleolithic Joint Archaeological Team in 2025

China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan Training Program on Movable Cultural Relics Preservation & Restoration and Sogdian Culture Research

Richard Cox, Deputy Consul General of the United Kingdom Visited the Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Heritage and Archaeology

Public Archaeology

Promoted the utilization of cultural relics and related data

Supported 34 cultural and museum institutions in holding exhibitions

Operated the official Chinese and English WeChat account

Launched 11 sessions of the “Huaxia Archaeology Lecture Series”

Organized multiple study tours and research activities

Published Huaxia Archaeology Issues 1-6 of 2025

Study Tours

Huaxia Archaeology Lecture Series

Reformation and Recruitment

Established the “One Institute and Five Centers”

Constructed the new location of the institute

Recruited 13 employees, including 4 doctoral degree holders

 10 staff members are pursuing doctoral degrees while in service

Planning and Design Rendering of the New Location of the Institute

Planning and Design Rendering of Northern Henan Center

Construction of Southern Henan Center

Honors

6 excavations were selected as the Top 10 New Archaeological Discoveries in Henan Province

Implemented 5 national-level projects

18 provincial-level projects

and 35 other research projects of various types

Published a wealth of papers and monographs

New archaeological discoveries at the Jiahu Site in Wuyang, Henan, were selected into CCTV’s Top 10 Domestic Archaeological News of 2025

Top 10 New Archaeological Discoveries in HenanProvince won by the Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Heritage and Archaeology

Wenquan Paleolithic Site inRuzhou

Beiyangping Yangshao Culture Site in Lingbao

North Area of Shuyuan Street, Zhengzhou Shang Dynasty City Site

Dingzhai Cemetery of the Late Shang-Early Zhou Period in Xiping

Jinglongmen Site of the Capital City of the Northern Song Dynasty

Laoliuzhuang Clan Settlement Site

Projects

National Social Science Fund Project

National Key R&D Program Project

Papers

 Books

In 2026, Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Heritage and Archaeology will continue writing a new chapter for the high-quality development of archaeological undertakings, and make further contributions to the preservation and inheritance of China’s outstanding traditional culture as well as the promotion of exchanges and mutual learning among world civilizations.