Zhao Ping’an (1964-) is currently a professor in the Department of History, and serves as the President of the Chinese Qin Script Research Association and Vice President of the Society for the Study of Chinese Ancient Paleography. He received his Ph.D. (1991) of Literature from Sun Yat-sen University. His research focuses on ancient Chinese paleography, excavated documents, and the history of the Pre-Qin and Qin-Han periods.

Professor Zhao’s most recent book is Tracking the Traces of Ancient States (2025). His other single-author books include: Studies on the Evolution to Clerical Script, Research on the Seal Script in Shuowen Jiezi, A Study of Qin and Western Han Dynasty Seals, Interpretation of Bronze Inscriptions and Exploration of Civilization, Research on Newly Excavated Bamboo-Silk Manuscripts, Ancient Paleography and Documents, and The Sequel of Research on Newly Excavated Bamboo-Silk Manuscripts, Ancient Paleography and Documents.

His publications earned prestigious awards, including the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Young Linguist Award, the Guo Moruo Prize for Chinese Historical Studies, and the Wang Li Linguistics Award from Peking University.