Analyzing Issues in Cultivating Talent for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage

Abstract

This paper analyzes the primary challenges in talent cultivation encountered during the recent development of archaeology and cultural heritage studies in China's mainland. Since the inception of scientific excavation at Yinxu in 1928, the discipline of archaeology has achieved significant advancements, particularly in disciplinary development, methodological innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Building on this foundation, the study examines the current status of these fields with respect to disciplinary progress, talent cultivation, and graduate employment. Despite this vigorous growth, talent cultivation faces persistent challenges, including an insufficient number of qualified faculty, curricula misaligned with societal needs, regional disparities, and declining recruitment quotas within archaeological and cultural heritage institutions. To address these issues and adapt to evolving workforce demands, we propose that universities strengthen faculty development and optimize curricula; governments enhance support for central and western regions to promote balanced educational resource allocation; and closer collaboration between archaeological/cultural heritage institutions and academic institutions be encouraged. Implementing these measures is expected to foster the sustainable development of archaeology and better address growing societal demands for heritage conservation and archaeological research.