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17.

starting a systematic excavation.

Besides, there is also a practical reason that hastened the close of this season's work. Banditry had been a constant trouble in An-yang at that time. While we were working in Hsiao-t'un, fighting with bandits took place frequently just eight miles away from the site. In the adjacent villages, peoples were kidnapped away every night, and held for ransome. Inspite of the presence of bodyguards, we could hardly continue the work under such condition without feeling some disquiet[[[u]]de. This decision has been fully justified later on.