At the age of 83, the famous archaeologist Meng Fanren passed away, specializing in archaeology
Starting from the end of 2021, Meng Fanren, an octogenarian, began his journey as a UP master. In the first video, he talked about his desire to step out of his study and communicate with young people. Network screenshot
Mr. Meng Fanren, a researcher at the Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and a renowned archaeologist, passed away on June 21, 2023 in Beijing due to illness at the age of 83.
Mr. Meng Fanren was born in August 1939 in Yixian, Liaoning Province. He graduated from the Department of History at Peking University in 1963 and was assigned to work at the Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in the same year. Formerly served as the Director of the Han Tang Archaeology Research Office, the Director of the Border Archaeology Research Office, and a member of the Academic Committee of the Archaeology Research Institute, as well as a member of the Evaluation Committee for Historical Film Titles of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Enjoy special government allowances from the State Council.
Mr. Meng Fanren has a rigorous and pragmatic academic style, with a wide range of research areas, and has achieved remarkable academic achievements in areas such as border archaeology and Han Tang archaeology. He has carried out archaeological excavations in Yin Xu in Anyang, Chang'an City of the Han Dynasty and Chang'an City of the Tang Dynasty in Xi'an, Dadu City of the Yuan Dynasty, Dongxiafeng Site in Xiaxian County, Shanxi Province, the Old City of the Han and Wei Dynasties in Luoyang, the Old City of Beiting in Jimusar, Xinjiang, and the Buddhist Temple Site. The gentleman conducted a comprehensive archaeological survey of Xinjiang, and in 1979, he began the archaeological investigation of the ancient city of Jimusaer Beiting and the Buddhist temple site in Xinjiang, marking the beginning of more than 40 years of Beiting archaeology. In 1988, Xidashi Temple and Beiting Ancient City Site were listed as national key cultural relics protection units. In December 2013, Beiting Ancient City was listed as a national archaeological site park. In 2014, it was listed in the The World Heritage List as a Silk Road heritage site. He has conducted three inspections in Loulan and participated in the excavation of some important sites, making outstanding contributions to the archaeology and historical geography research of the historical period in Xinjiang region.
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Mr. Meng Fanren has published works such as "Research on the History and Geography of Beiting", "Site of Beiting Gaochang Uyghur Buddhist Temple", "Research on the Chronology of Loulan Shanshan Bamboo Slips", "History of the Silk Road", "Collection of Archaeology and Historical Geography in Xinjiang", "Collection of Archaeology in Xinjiang", and edited "Volume of Chinese Archaeology in Song, Liao, Liao, Jin, Yuan, and Ming Dynasties". He has made many achievements in the comprehensive research of capital cities and imperial tombs in Liao, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties. He has published monographs such as "History of Ming Dynasty Palace Architecture", "Ming Dynasty Capital", "Research on the Layout of Capital Cities from Liao to Qing Dynasties", and "Research on the Layout of Imperial Tombs from Liao to Qing Dynasties". Wait.
Just last month, Mr. Meng's monograph "Research on the Layout of Capital Cities from the Song to Qing Dynasties" won the second prize of the Excellent Research Achievement Award for Retirees at the 10th Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
The Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, stated in its obituary that Mr. Meng Fanren's death was a significant loss for the Chinese archaeological community.