The author, presumably a professor at Beijing University of Iron and Steel Technology, introduces his article with a general review of China's prehistory, protohistory, early recorded and contemporary history, accompanied by a brief Chinese chronology in tabular form. An 800,000-word book in three parts, <i>The Historical Metallurgy of China</i> (Iron and Steel, Non-ferrous Metals, and Process Metallurgy), was begun at BUIST in 1976 by a group of scientists. The research necessary to establish facts on the metal handicrafts of ancient China is described in general terms as to staff, materials obtained, and modern laboratory methods used. Three reasons why archaeometallurgy is part of the curriculum at BUIST are given. -- AATA