Chinese and Western Interactions Surrounding the Preparations for the Peking Man Digs of the 1920s

Abstract

In the 1920s a series of paleontological digs took place in China. These digs led to the discovery of remains of an early hominid that became known as the "Peking Man." Although these discoveries are often represented as being accomplished almost exclusively by foreigners, such as Johan Gunnar Andersson, a Swede, or by Davidson Black, a Canadian, in fact the historical evidence shows the digs to be a cooperative effort between the China Geological Survey and several outside, foreign individuals and organizations. This international cooperation during a key period in the development of Chinese science is a subject deserving of attention. This paper offers a look at how this cooperation came about. Also discussed is the importance of this international cooperation and way in which events were affected by competition among nations and institutions.