In this lecture, Prof. Hou Xudong will unveil certain aspects in Chinese dietary patterns from ancient dynasties like Qin and Han to the present via appreciation of artifacts discovered in tombs of Chinese ancient aristocrats and royal families, as well as literary works from a different time. By knowing how these customs in life come and go over time, we may get an insight into why Cantonese people eat like they do today, and more broadly how we should treat history today.

Hou Xudong works as a professor of History Department, School of Humanities, Tsinghua University. His research interests lie in the history of Dynasties of Qin, Han, Wei, Jin, and the Northern and Southern Dynasties Period. He also investigates literary records on paper or wooden strips in history.

His Publications:

The Daily Life during the Han Dynasty(2022, in production)

What is the History of Reign over Daily Life(2020)

Trust from the Emperor(2018)

A Close Look at the History of Medival China(2015)

The Life and World of Villagers in Northern Dynasties Period(2005, revised in 2022)