Qiu Shanyuan and National Museum of History

Qiu Shanyuan was a participant, witness, and promoter of the development of the National Museum of History during the Republic of China. From his concurrent appointment as a curator at the National Museum of History in 1921 to the occupation of Peking by Japanese aggressors in August 1937, Qiu Shanyuan’s tenure at the museum spanned an impressive 17-year period, during which numerous crucial endeavors within the museum were accomplished under his participation or direction. This article provides a systematic review of the relevant historical records pertaining of Qiu Shanyuan’s service at the National Museum of History, delving into the historical facts of his efforts in organizing the relocation of museum artifacts to the south, conducting archaeological excavations, and engaging in the acquisition of cultural relics. The study reveals the noteworthy accomplishments made by the National Museum of History despite the tumultuous political situation and frequent conflicts.