In Memoriam Gai Shanlin (1935-2020) - A Prominent Chinese Rock Art Researcher

Abstract

Gai Shanlin (盖山林), of Manchu origin, was a native of Xingtang County, Hebei Province in China. He was born on 10 September 1935, and received higher education in Lanzhou city in 1960. Since 1962, Gai Shanlin was employed at the Inner Mongolian Archaeology of Cultural Heritage Research Institute. He was a prominent rock art researcher, considered to be No. 1 in China. Gai Shanlin was the first who discovered, described and published materials of the rock art sites of Inner Mongolia in the Yinshan mountains, the Wulanchabu grassland and the Badain Jaran Desert. During his life, he wrote about a dozen books and several hundred articles on the subject. Since 1988, Gai Shanlin was also a member of the China Association for Promoting Democracy. He was elected Vice-Chairman of the 9th CPPCC Inner Mongolia Autonomous Regional Committee in 2003 and held that post until 2008. Gai Shanlin aged 85 passed away on 9 February 2020, in Hoh-hot city.