Yu Zhuohan’s archaeological journey began with the thrill of the unknown. The first experience of field excavation captured her heart, and set her on a path from BNBU’s Globalisation and Development programme to a master’s in Asian Archaeology and Heritage at UCL, and soon, a PhD in Archaeology at the University of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
Yu Zhuohan
Class of 2023, Department of Social Sciences
MA in Archaeology and Heritage of Asia, University College London,
PhD in Archaeology, University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
Her fascination with the past was first sparked by an adventure novel in middle school and nurtured by a family environment steeped in traditional culture. A high school archaeology summer camp convinced her that archaeology was more than a mystery but a rigorous discipline capable of reconstructing human stories across time.
At BNBU, the university’s liberal arts model became the soil in which her curiosity took root. She immersed herself in courses on Indo-European languages, Roman civilisation, cultural tourism, Buddhist culture, and ancient Nile societies. Faculty like Dr Monaco encouraged students to focus not on memorising facts but on mastering analytical logic. She also joined BNBU’s Yayue orchestra, deepening her cultural understanding from a ritual and historical perspective.
Her training broadened further at UCL, where she studied Asian archaeology, Silk Road heritage, and ancient Egyptian scripts while gaining hands-on experience in excavations of Roman-era ditches and burials.
She also participated actively in projects ranging from modelling artefacts in Sichuan to analysing female representation in Dunhuang tomb art, which expanded her research vision and earned her recognition for outstanding work.
Yu learns knowledge from courses and field experience
Throughout her journey, mentorship played a crucial role. One defining moment was when she sought guidance from President Chen Zhi on classical archaeological methods. His thoughtful advice and later recommendation strengthened her confidence and academic direction.
As she embarks on her PhD, Yu hopes to integrate Chinese and international archaeological approaches, continuing her pursuit of understanding how the past shapes the present.
From MPRO
Reporter: Cecilia Yu
Photos provided by interviewee
