Archaeological work in Jilin began in the 20^th century. Culturally this province possessed distinct regional features: The northwestern area was the eastern end of the territory of the Eurasian steppe culture. The east, i.e. the district of Changbai Mountains, belonged to the cultural circle round the Pacific. And the central part with plains and hills functioned as important passages of cultural spread and interaction between the north China and northeastern Asia. Since 1949, Jilin archaeology has developed rapidly. Lots of important discoveries have been made in archaeology of the Paleolithic Age to that of the Liao-Jin period, and research systems have been basically established in studies of Fuyu, Kaoguryo and Bohai, as well as Jin period city-sites. In the new century, Jilin archaeology will pay major attention to fundamental work round researches on Kaoguryo and Bohai so as to advance to a new height.
