In 1954, Li Xueqin moved to the Institute of History of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (later of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences).
After the major disruptions of the Cultural Revolution (1966-76), Li participated in the research of the major archaeological discoveries of Mawangdui, Shuihudi, and Zhangjiashan, making important contributions to the understanding of ancient cultural history of the Warring States and the Qin and Han dynasties [REF].