It is no easy task to take the ideal archaeological photograph.

"Unlike artistic photography, an archaeological photograph must precisely capture the details of artifacts and their historical context," said Li Zhanyang, a distinguished professor at Shandong University.

Li, who graduated with a degree in archaeology from Shandong University in 1984, has been dedicated to Paleolithic archaeological studies for many years.

The humanoid cranial remains, dating from 105,000 to 125,000 years ago and discovered by the team led by Li at the Xuchang site in Central China's Henan Province, were named among the Top 10 Archaeological Discoveries of China in 2007.

In 2018, Li was appointed as a distinguished professor at Shandong University, where he found many students used photographs with problems like color distortion, missing details, and poor composition in their archaeology papers. He then proposed reopening the archaeological photography course, which had been discontinued many years earlier, to teach students how to capture and create acceptable archaeological photographs.

"Archaeology is the process of writing history, and everyone strives to get as close as possible to the truth," said Li. Photographers must put in great effort to ensure precision and historical accuracy.

Thanks to Li's efforts, the "Archaeological Photography and Thesis Illustration" course has been offered to graduate students for three years now, becoming a popular elective with positive feedback.

"People who study Paleolithic archaeology must work with many types of fossils, and when telling their story, photographs are essential," said Li. "Precision," he added, is the first key term he defines in the course.

Photographers often have to put in immense effort, repeatedly adjusting and refining their images so that they capture the finest details of artifacts.

In his class, he not only teaches students how to take photographs but also imparts post-processing techniques.

"I have published over a thousand images in professional journals and books, and the effort isn't just in pressing the shutter button, but more in post-production," said Li.

According to Li, these post-production processes include increasing the contrast to highlight the fossil textures or adjusting the color balance to restore the artifact's luster.

Li said that he is working with his students to leverage AI to create more high-quality images. "The future of archaeology requires individuals with strong practical skills and an AI-oriented mindset," he added.

Professor Li Zhanyang with a skull model. [Photo/Shandong University]

A photo shows primitive bovine metacarpal bone fossils discovered at the Xuchang human site in Xuchang, Henan province. [Photo by Li Zhanyang/Shandong University]

A photo taken by Li Zhanyang shows a pendant made from ostrich eggshell dating back to 20,000 years ago. [Photo by Li Zhanyang/Shandong University]