He set the textual criticism of historical materials as the foundational thought, using such materials as under earth objects, documents and legends for the research of ancient Chinese history.

• 他把考辨史料作为古史研究的基础工作 ,认为实物材料、文献记载和传说都是古史研究的史料 ,提出实物材料与文献记载材料可以互证 ,应合理地运用伪材料等。