Pei Wenzhong

Pei Wenzhong (zh-c|c=裴文中, anglicised also as W. C. Pei, 1904 - 1982) was a Chinese paleontologist, archaeologist and anthropologist. Professor Pei is considered the founding father of Chinese anthropology.cite web | url = http://www.publicanthropology.org/Archive/Aa1984.htm | title = Chang, K. C.]

He graduated from the Peking University in 1928 and went to work for the Cenozoic Research Laboratory of the Geological Survey of China joining the excavations of Peking Man Site in Zhoukoudian, where he was named the field director of the excavations in the following year. The work at Zhoukoudian was done in rough conditions: for example, the scientists had to ride to there on mules. The first skullcap was dug out by Pei "working in a 40-meter crevasse in frigid weather with a hammer in one hand and a candle in the other"."cite web | url =http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/10/10/features/melvin.php | title = Melvin, Sheila] , on December 1, 1929, at 4 pm.cite news | first = | last = | authorlink = | author = | coauthors = | title = Pei Wenzhong (1904-1982) | url = | format = | work = | publisher = Peking Man Site Museum | pages = | page = | date = | accessdate = | language = English | quote = Chinese prehistoric archaeologist and palaeontologist. Finder of the first skull of Peking Man. He confirmed the existence of stoned wares, burnt bones and ash fire used at Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian and specified the cultural nature of Peking Man. During 1933 to 1934, he presided over the excavation of Upper Cave site and worked as the director of Zhoukoudian Office of Cenozoic Research Laboratory of the Geological Survey of China.]

Since Zhoukoudian, Professor Pei worked at many other sites, for example Djalainor or Kansu. In 1955 he was elected to the Chinese Academy of Sciences, became the first Chairman of Chinese Association of Natural Science Museums, and the second director of Beijing Museum of Natural History. Until his death, he worked at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He also wrote several books, including the first upon Chinese prehistory written in Chinese.

His cremated remains are buried at Zhoukoudian besides those of his colleagues Yang Zhongjian and Jia Lanpo.

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