Students who wish to change their 2018–19 First Term course enrolments are reminded to do so via the CUSIS during the following specified add/drop periods:

Undergraduate programme: Between 8:30pm on 10 September 2018 and 8:30pm on 16 September 2018

Postgraduate programmes: Between 10am on 3 September 2018 and 5:30pm on 17 September 2018

2018 Summer Archaeological Work and Experience: Students of the Department of History

From June to July 2018, three students (HO Chun Him, TANG Ling Hei, CHEUNG Sze Ting) from the Department of History and six other students from the Department of Anthropology and Cultural study joined the archaeological fieldwork in Sichuan. This fieldwork opportunity was funded by the Ministry of Culture of the People’s Republic of China (2018 major cultural exchange programs with Hong Kong/Macau: Sichuan Archaeological Internship Program for CUHK students). This event was co-organised by Sichuan Provincial Cultural Relics and Archaeology Research Institute and CUHK Department of Anthropology, and received tremendous supports from the Sichuan Provincial Department of Culture.

As our major organizer in this exchange program, Sichuan Provincial Cultural Relics and Archaeology Research Institute offered a well-planned one-month archaeological internship for these students. In order to provide an impressive and colorful fieldwork experience for our students, the provincial institute arranged our students to join the fieldwork at the Sanxingdui site and Jiangkou battlefield site, two very important archaeological sites in mainland China. This internship program includes archaeological excavation, analysis, preservation, and recording of excavated artifacts, operational training of the latest mapping equipment, archaeological survey, ethnographical survey of local legends about the “Jiangkou sunken treasures”, visiting of museums and various heritage sites in Sichuan, and workshops sharing students’ research focus and interest. All these students expressed their appreciation for the wholeheartedly hosting and comprehensive instructions provided by the Sichuan Provincial Cultural Relics and Archaeology Research Institute. Needless to say, the archaeological internships were very fruitful.

The Sanxingdui site was one of the most important type-sites in Bronze-Age China. The site has yielded tremendous bronze masks, jade artifacts, and elephant tusks that have never been found before. The discovery of the site was also considered as one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in 20th century. Remains from the sites not only demonstrated the complexity and variety of ancient Chinese civilization but also holds important historical and artistic values. Besides visiting the archaeological site and museum, students joining the exchange program could also have hands-on experience studying artifacts excavated from the site. The Jiangkou battlefield site was related to Zhang Xiangzhong and his Daxi regime during the end of the Ming Dynasty. More than 30,000 pieces of artifacts including golden ingots, silver ingots, and golden wares have been excavated. Therefore, the excavation was designated as the ten-greatest archaeological new discoveries in 2017. Through the archaeological fieldwork experience at these two famous, fascinating archeological sites, students received systematic training in archaeological field methods and a wide range of other techniques. More important, the exchange program also offered a wonderful learning experience for students about the marvelous history and culture in Sichuan as well as the recent great achievement in Sichuan by the Provincial Institute of Archaeology.

This exchange program was the first time that a relatively large group of undergraduate students in Hong Kong joined archaeological fieldworks in mainland China. Therefore, we all appreciated this valuable opportunity. During the closing ceremony, Prof. GAO Dalun, the Director of the Sichuan Provincial Cultural Relics and Archaeology Research Institute, concluded that, in fact, there is a long collaboration tradition between Sichuan and CUHK in archaeological research. More important, this was also the first time that an academic institute in Hong Kong/Macau collaborated with the archaeological research institute in Sichuan to develop archaeological fieldworks. He hoped this student internship could also serve as a good demonstration and encouragement for more exchange and collaboration between the two places. The dedicated and committed working attitudes of our students also left very good impressions among the tutors and researchers in Sichuan. Given this great success, Director GAO Dalun hoped that the Department of Anthropology or Department of History at CUHK can develop a further collaboration with the Sichuan Provincial Cultural Relics and Archaeology Research Institute in term of student archaeological internships and visiting.

In addition, TSE Nga Yin (year-two MPhil) joined the archaeological work at the Liujiawa site in Weinan, Shaanxi, to collect data related to her thesis. During this period, Ms. TSE helped with the Shaanxi Provincial Institute to develop an archaeology GIS system of the Weinan district to help understand the distribution of archeological sites from the Neolithic to the Qin-Han periods. Other archaeological experience includes excavating a tomb dating to the Spring-and-Autumn period, visiting nearby museums related to the Zhou periods to study tomb structures and burial assemblages, and studying bronzes and ceramics excavated from the Liujiawa site.

Please visit Sichuan Provincial Cultural Relics and Archaeology Research Institute to see recap videos.

Report by Prof. LAM Weng Cheong

Recapping the “History Department Retreat 2018” held on 31 August 2018

The History Department Retreat 2018 was held at CUHK on 31 August 2018. The Department’s teaching staff discussed and shared their views on the Department’s development strategies. The undergraduate and postgraduate student representatives were also invited to join the retreat and took the opportunity to meet and exchange views with the Department’s members.

Recapping the Orientation Workshop for the MA Programme in Comparative and Public History conducted on 1 September 2018

The Orientation Workshop for the MA Programme in Comparative and Public History was conducted on 1 September 2018. At the workshop, the Department’s teaching staff provided students with information on programme features, study schemes and courses offered. Representatives of the MA Programme Alumni Association also gave an introduction on the alumni association and shared their learning experience with participants, enabling them to learn more about university life and prospects. Students also met their academic advisors for the first time.

Welcoming Students and Teachers from the School of History, Renmin University of China

Students and teachers from the School of History, Renmin University of China visited the Department on 3 September 2018. They were received by Prof. LAI Ming Chiu, Department Chairman; Prof. HE Xi, Prof. LAM Weng Cheong, faculty members and students of the Department. Members from both universities eagerly took the opportunity to discuss and share their views on learning and recent research. The visit was satisfactorily concluded.

Academic Seminar

Academic Seminar

Academic Seminar

Academic Seminar

Public Lectures on History 2018-19

With the theme of Key Political Figures of Modern China, two distinguished scholars will deliver lectures in October and November 2018.

Admission is free; reservation is required.
– For online registration and more information, please visit www.history.cuhk.edu.hk/Event/2018_PLH
– Call at 3943 8541

Organisers:Department of History, CUHK; Centre for Comparative and Public History, Department of History, CUHK; MA Programme in Comparative and Public History, Department of History, CUHK; Hong Kong Public Libraries, Leisure and Cultural Services Department

For teachers and students who have information to share with the Department,
please email your articles in both Chinese and English to chanfiona@cuhk.edu.hk by 4:00pm every Tuesday.