Hong Xu is a Researcher of the Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS). His research mainly focuses on the Xia, Shang and Zhou archaeology, Chinese ancient urban archaeology， Chinese civilization formation, and early state archaeology. He also serves as the Director and the Erlitou Team Leader at the Department of Xia, Shang and Zhou Archaeology, a Professor and a Doctorial Tutor of the Department of Archaeology at Graduate School of CASS, the Director of Archaeological Society of China, and an Executive Deputy Director of the Professional Board of Xia, Shang and Zhou Archaeology.