Xu Hong is a researcher at the Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and professor and tutor for graduate students of University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. From 1999 to 2019, he served as the leader of Erlitou (¿¿¿) archaeological team in Yanshi, Henan Province, and a council member of Chinese Archaeological Society. His research fields include archaeology of Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasties and ancient Chinese cities, and he is engaged in archaeological research on the formation of Chinese civilization and early state.