The Archaeology of Early China : From Prehistory to the Han Dynasty

This volume aims to satisfy a pressing need for an updated account of Chinese archaeology. It covers an extended time period from the earliest peopling of China to the unification of the Chinese Empire some two thousand years ago. The geographical coverage includes the traditional focus on the Yellow River basin but also covers China's many other regions. Among the topics covered are the emergence of agricultural communities; the establishment of a sedentary way of life; the development of sociopolitical complexity; advances in lithic technology, ceramics, and metallurgy; and the appearance of writing, large-scale public works, cities, and states. Particular emphasis is placed on the great cultural variations that existed among the different regions and the development of interregional contacts among those societies. This Volume Aims To Satisfy A Pressing Need For An Updated Account Of Chinese Archaeology. The Volume's Time Frame Extends From The Earliest Peopling Of China To The Unification Of The Chinese Empire Some 2,000 Years Ago. The Spatial Coverage Includes--but Also Extends Beyond--the Traditional Focus On The Yellow River Basin, With A Number Of Chapters Discussing The Archaeology Of China's Northeast, Northwest, Southeast And Southwestern Regions. Among The Issues Addressed By The Book Are The Emergence Of Agricultural Communities, The Establishment Of A Sedentary Way Of Life, The Development Of Socio-political Complexity, Advances In Lithic Technology, Ceramic And Metallurgy, And The Appearance Of Writing, Large Scale Public Works, Cities, And States. A Particular Emphasis Is Placed On The Great Cultural Variations That Existed Among Different Regions In China And The Development Of Interregional Contacts Among Those Societies-- 1. The Geographic And Environmental Background -- 2. Before Cultivation : Human Origins And The Incipient Development Of Human Culture In China -- 3. The Transition To Food Production : Variability And Processes -- 4. The Development Of Agriculture And Sedentary Life In North China -- 5. The Shift To Agriculture And Sedentism In Central And South China -- 6. The Emergence And Development Of Sociopolitical Complexity -- 7. Stepping Into History -- 8. The Shang Dynasty : The Emergence Of The State In China -- 9. Regional Variation And Interregional Interactions During The Bronze Age : Center And Periphery Or Interaction Spheres? -- 10. The Societies And Cultures Of The Zhou Period : Processes Of Globalization And The Genesis Of Local Identities -- 11. The Son Of Heaven And The Creation Of A Bureaucratic Empire -- By Way Of A Personal Conclusion : The Jade Dragon As An Emblem Of Local And National Idenity. Gideon Shelach-lavi (hebrew University, Jerusalem). Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Binder1 frontmatter 2-dedication Blank Page 3-contents 4-figures 5-acknowledgments 6-introduction chapter 1-geographic_and_environmental_background Chapter 2-before_cultivation_human_origins_and_the_incipient_development_of_human_culture_in_china Chapter 3-transition_to_food_production_variability_and_processes Chapter 4-development_of_agriculture_and_sedentary_life_in_north_china Chapter 5-shift_to_agriculture_and_sedentism_in_central_and_south_china Chapter 6-emergence_and_development_of_sociopolitical_complexity Chapter 7-stepping_into_history Chapter 8-shang_dynasty_the_emergence_of_the_state_in_china Chapter 9-regional_variation_and_interregional_interactions_during_the_bronze_age_center_and_periphery_or_interaction_spheres Chapter 10-societies_and_cultures_of_the_zhou_period_processes_of_globalization_and_the_genesis_of_local_identities Chapter 11-son_of_heaven_and_the_creation_of_a_bureaucratic_empire Conclusion 1-notes 2-references 3-index "This volume aims to satisfy a pressing need for an updated account of Chinese archaeology. The volume's time frame extends from the earliest peopling of China to the unification of the Chinese empire some 2,000 years ago. The spatial coverage includes ... but also extends beyond ... the traditional focus on the Yellow River basin, with a number of chapters discussing the archaeology of China's northeast, northwest, southeast and southwestern regions. Among the issues addressed by the book are the emergence of agricultural communities, the establishment of a sedentary way of life, the development of socio-political complexity, advances in lithic technology, ceramic and metallurgy, and the appearance of writing, large scale public works, cities, and states. A particular emphasis is placed on the great cultural variations that existed among different regions in China and the development of interregional contacts among those societies." This book covers Chinese archaeology from the first people to the unification of the empire. Particular emphasis is placed on the great cultural variations that existed among the different regions and the development of interregional contacts among those societies.