Mr. Zhaokui Wang | Zooarchaeology | Best Researcher Award
academic title of middle rank at Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, China
Wang Zhaokui is a dedicated Chinese archaeologist specializing in zooarchaeology and experimental archaeology. He currently serves as an Intermediate Research Fellow at the Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Heritage and Archaeology and is engaged in postdoctoral research at Zhengzhou University. His work intricately blends experimental methods with analytical studies to decode ancient butchery techniques and tool usage. Wang is recognized for his meticulous investigations into bone modifications and cut marks produced by ancient iron implements, offering groundbreaking insights into early culinary practices and technological development during the Han dynasty.
Education
Wang earned his doctoral degree in Archaeology from Chongqing Normal University in 2023. His academic training was rooted in rigorous archaeological methodology, and he focused heavily on bone analysis, experimental reconstruction, and material culture. His graduate studies laid the foundation for his current research, equipping him with the analytical and practical skills necessary for innovative experimental archaeology. His dissertation work integrated theoretical understanding with applied science, examining the relationships between tool usage, bone morphology, and cultural practices in early Chinese civilizations.
Experience
Following his Ph.D., Wang joined the Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Heritage and Archaeology in January 2024, assuming the role of Intermediate Research Fellow. Shortly after, in March 2024, he began his postdoctoral research at the Archaeology Postdoctoral Research Station at Zhengzhou University. Wang has participated in major excavation projects across Henan Province, with a notable focus on Han dynasty tombs. His contributions span from field excavation and artifact cataloguing to laboratory analysis of faunal remains. Wang has played a pivotal role in developing experimental protocols for replicating ancient bone-cutting techniques, and his findings have helped refine interpretations of archaeological bone assemblages.
Research Interest
Wang Zhaokui’s primary research interests lie in zooarchaeology, microwear analysis, and experimental archaeology. He is particularly focused on reconstructing ancient culinary and butchery techniques through microscopic analysis of tool marks and cut surfaces on animal bones. His research integrates traditional archaeological methods with modern technology to explore the use of iron tools in food preparation during the Han dynasty. Additionally, Wang investigates the broader implications of tool usage for understanding social practices, craft specialization, and technological innovation in ancient China. His work often involves interdisciplinary collaboration, blending archaeological science, ethnography, and historical research.
Award
Wang’s work has been supported through competitive institutional funding. Notably, his project “Experimental Archaeological Study on the Cut Marks on Animal Bones by Iron Knives” was funded by the 2024 Basic Scientific Research Business Expenses of the Henan Provincial Department of Finance (Project ID: 2024HNKGKY26). This funding reflects institutional recognition of the academic value and innovative methodology behind his research, as well as its contribution to Chinese experimental archaeology.
Publication
Wang Zhaokui has authored and contributed to several impactful studies. A representative selection includes:
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“Experimental Archaeological Study of Incised Marks on Animal Bones Produced by Iron Implements” – Humans, 2025, 5(2), 14. This article investigates ancient butchery techniques using experimental and microwear analysis. Cited by studies on Han dynasty culinary practices and zooarchaeological methodology.
Conclusion
Wang Zhaokui’s scholarly work exemplifies a modern approach to archaeology—blending scientific experimentation with historical analysis. His investigations into ancient Chinese butchery techniques illuminate the daily lives and technological sophistication of early societies. Through detailed experimental replication and microscopic analysis, he offers new perspectives on iron tool usage, challenging and refining established interpretations in zooarchaeology. As he continues his postdoctoral research, Wang is poised to contribute further to the development of experimental archaeology in China and beyond. His work not only reconstructs ancient practices but also reinforces the value of interdisciplinary and empirically grounded archaeological inquiry.