Lithic Production and Early Urbanism in China: A case study of the lithic production at the Neolithic Taosi Site (ca. 2500–1900BCE): A case study of the lithic production at the Neolithic Taosi Site (ca. 2500–1900BCE)

This work investigates the contribution of economic activity to Chinese early urbanization, through a case study of the lithic production at the Neolithic Taosi site in Shanxi, China (c. 2500-1900BCE). The analysis is based on information collected from fieldwork experiments with replicating stone tool manufacture. Lithic production played an important role in the urbanization at Taosi, which developed into the primary political, economic and ceremonial centre in the Linfen Basin. Due to its central position in the region, a high level of social complexity, and its spatial layout with a rammed-earth enclosure, Taosi represents a milestone in the process of early urbanism in ancient China. Front Cover Title Page Copyright Table of Contents List of Figures List of Tables Abstract Acknowledgements Chapter 1: Background and Research Questions Chapter 2: Theories and methods Chapter 3: Lithic Artefacts from Previous Excavations at Taosi and Mount Dagudui Chapter 4: Lithic Artefacts from the 2008 Surface Survey and Test Excavations at Taosi Chapter 5: Replication Experiments of Stone Tool Manufacture Chapter 6: Raw Material Selection and Technology of Lithic Production Chapter 7: Production Capacity, Exchange and Organisation of Production Chapter 8: Conclusion Appendix Bibliography Accompanying CD-ROM contains ... "Appendix VIII. The details of the flake samples from Dagudui; Appendix IX. The database of the replication experiments; Appendix X. The petrographic identification of the lithic samples from Taosi and the Mount Dagudui quarry."--Page ii