Ancient China Lecture 10 PDF

Arch 100-3 D100 Ancient Peoples and Places Week 10 Ancient China I Introduction II Later Neolithic Cultures: Yangshao (5000- 3000 BC) and Longshan (3000-2205 BC) III Origins of the Chinese State: Xia Dynasty (2205-1766 BC) IV Early Imperial China 1) Shang Dynasty (1766-112...

Arch 100-3 D100 Ancient Peoples and Places Week 10 Ancient China I Introduction II Later Neolithic Cultures: Yangshao (5000- 3000 BC) and Longshan (3000-2205 BC) III Origins of the Chinese State: Xia Dynasty (2205-1766 BC) IV Early Imperial China 1) Shang Dynasty (1766-1122 BC) 2) Zhou Dynasties (1122-221 BC) 3) Qin Dynasty (221-207 BC) 4) Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD) FILM: - Dark Dynasties of Power – Bells of the Bronze Age - CHINA “Heritage of the Wild Dragon” Late Neolithic N-China (Yellow River) Yangshao 5000 – 3000 BC Longshan, early states, 3000 – ca. 2000 BC Longshan and Yangshao along the Yellow River Yangshao (5000-3000 BC) Cultivation of millet, wheat, and rice. Domestication of pigs, chickens, dogs, and also sheep, goats, and cattle. Much of their meat came from hunting and fishing. Stone tools polished and highly specialized. Practiced an early form of silkworm cultivation? Yangshao hemp- cordmarked Amphora, Pottery Ding Banpo Phase (4800 BC) (with string-pattern) Longshan cultures, 3000-2200 BC social ranking, wealth accumulation, violence Longshanoid Horizon, “Interaction Sphere” “egg-shell” & highly burnished Longshan pottery black pottery  Longshan Ceramics ▪ highly burnished, wheel-made, thin-walled (egg-shell) black pottery Longshanoid Horizon: Interaction sphere independent polities with a central administration regional centres, undergo convergent developments interaction spurs culture change, increases in social complexity  Ch’eng-tzu-yai Shandong Mountains, Yellow River (Huang Ho) earliest public building stamped earth (see platform in later Anyang, Shang D.) walled town cemetery with evidence for social inequality  Longshan burials social inequality grave goods, caskets craft specialization Copper working (was more valuable than gold) Longshan burial Longshan Elite Burial  Longshan Villages larger villages more sedentary pit dwellings intensive farming increasing dependence on domesticated plants and animals  Jade Ornaments Clay Figures of humans and Carved jade axes birds Liang-ch’eng-chen, Jih- Yao-kuan-chung, Wei-fang chao (Shandong Province) (Shandong Province) Neolithic Jade ornament  Late Neolithic Symbols (Yangshao) Pottery symbols, Ma-ch’ang phase, Liu-wan (Qinghai Province) I Introduction II Later Neolithic Cultures: Yangshao (5000- 3000 BC) and Longshan (3000-2205 BC) III Origins of the Chinese State: Xia Dynasty (2205-1766 BC) IV Early Imperial China 1) Shang Dynasty (1766-1122 BC) 2) Zhou Dynasties (1122-221 BC) 3) Qin Dynasty (221-207 BC) 4) Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD) Origins of the Chinese State 2000 BC urban centres, monumental architecture, class differentiation written history (Sima Qian, wrote in 109-91 BC) pre-Shang dynasties Early History: Records of the Historian Opus magnum of Sima Qian, written 109-91 BC, in which he recounted Chinese history from the time of the Yellow Emperor until his own time. Shih Chi (1st century BC) indicates China was made up of several hundred independent states: fortified towns similar to Sumerian city-states unification does not occur until 221 BC (beginning of Qin Dynasty, 221-207 BC) First page of the Shiji  Historical Records (by Sima Qian) San Huang Three Sovereigns Wu Ti Five Emperors Three Dynasties Xia -- Yu the Great Shang -- T’ang Zhou -- Wu Wang Historical Records (by Sima Qian) The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors are a group of semi-mythological rulers (ca. 2852 to 2070 BC). The three sovereigns were demigods who used their abilities to help create mankind and impart essential skills and knowledge. The five emperors were exemplary sages of great moral character.  Historical Records (by Sima Qian) The Yellow Emperor (2697-2597 BC) (“Longshan”) Legendary Chinese sovereign and cultural hero. Included in Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. His cult became prominent in late Warring States and early Han Period, where he is portrayed as: - the originator of the centralized state - a patron of esoteric arts - a cosmic ruler. He is traditionally credited with numerous inventions and innovations. He is regarded as the initiator of Chinese civilization He is believed to be the ancestor of all Huaxia Chinese. Pre-Shang China Xia Dynasty (2205-1766 BC) first identified at Erh-li-t’ou fortified towns, hundreds of independent states many ethnic groups changing alliances and warfare  Yi-Luo Valley Political center of Xia and Early Shang Dynasties. Predates Anyang. Erlitou (1800-1600 BC): 400 hectares (= 4 sq km). Yanshi (1600 BC): massive palace enclosures, possibly connected with the Shang conquest of the Xia, which is historically documented.  Erh-li-t’ou large central buildings, largest 100 x 100 m burials, evidence of human sacrifice jade, bronze, ceramic vessels lacquered coffins social inequality  Erh-li-t’ou Palaces Palatial foundations at Erh-li-t’ou, Yen-shih, Honan Province  Erh-li-t’ou Craft Specialisation bronze tools musical instruments jade knives greater social complexity than Longshan Ivory and turquoise goblet Late Shang, 1200 BC Erh-li-t’ou Bronzes  Xia legends Yu the Great [founder of the Xia dynasty] is credited with the Chinese creation story: Nu- Wa, a female goddess, creates people out of mud as copies of herself, because she felt lonely … I Introduction II Later Neolithic Cultures: Yangshao (5000- 3000 BC) and Longshan (3000-2205 BC) III Origins of the Chinese State: Xia Dynasty (2205- 1766 BC) IV Early Imperial China 1) Shang Dynasty (1766-1122 BC) 2) Zhou Dynasties (1122-221 BC) 3) Qin Dynasty (221-207 BC) 4) Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD) Early Imperial China Shang Dynasty (1766-1122 BC) Early writing Anyang Ao (under modern Zhengzhou) town with royal compound workshops Shang site excavation Shang Dynasty (1766-1122 BC) Shang Capitals (1766-1122 BC) Ao Anyang Ao Shang Palace at Ao  Anyang Immense city (enclosure 4.7 sq km, pre Late Shang). Ceremonial and administrative centre. Oldest archaeological site to be securely correlated with historical documents. 1200-1045 BC. Important place for sacrifices and oracles Found through “oracle bones.” Oracle bone, Anyang  Anyang’s social structure Palace surrounded by neighborhoods, cemeteries, and areas with workshops. Palace-temple area consists of large structures built on platforms of stamped earth (see already Longshan). Building material: very simple. Elite: houses built on platforms. Non-elite: small houses dug into the ground.  Oracle Bones Scapulimancy (shoulder blades) shamanism? incipient urbanism, trade links, regional factionalism  Anyang’s oracle bones “Oracle bones” were used for questions asked to ancestors relating from outcomes of battles to weather … Heat source was used to produce cracks on the front of the bone(s). Beginning with Late Shang period (ca. 1200 BC), question, divination, and outcome were carefully recorded. Oracle bone, Anyang Over 150’000 oracle bones found.  Early Writing in China Anyang oracle bones divination questions, oracles, as part of governing reading patterns of cracks scapula royal archives Shang oracle bone turtle carapace  Late Shang oracle bone Shang Writing inscription, 1100 BC 3000 symbols, only 1200 identified 1500 BC earliest written records 400 BC bamboo tablets Shang Dynasty books, 1700-1100 BC  Anyang Royal Burials 1500-1200 BC cruciform, ramped tombs decapitated human sacrifices elaborate grave goods Lady Fu Hao Royal tomb, Anyang  Anyang Royal Burials Remains of massive burial ground. Over 1000 simple burials. 11 deep burial pits reached by ramps. Large number of sacrificial victims, some of their heads buried separately, were found in the pits. King buried on the lowest level, near the Huang Quan (“Yellow Spring,” the “beginning” of the Underworld) Anyang Royal Burial tomb of a member of Shang royal family 81 people buried on raised platform  Tomb of Lady Fu Hao Tomb of Fu Hao, wife or consort of one of the kings. Discovered intact in palace- temple area across the river from the burial ground. Enormous quantity of burial goods, including: 440 bronzes almost 600 jades  Chariot Burials begin in Shang (1300-1050 BC), continue through Qin and Han Anyang examples slaves, captives Tomb of Shih Huang Ti  Shang Bronzes bronze metallurgy introduced from Thailand? (where it occurs as early as 4500 BC) ceremonial vessels – “politically all-important ritual symbols” Exclusive domain of royalty and nobility. Essential tools of political authority (ritual, warfare, power) piece moulds, workshops Shang Bronzes Bronze vessels (right) and jades (left) from tomb of Lady Fu Hao at Hsiao-t’un  Late Shang Society Shang peoples greatly appreciated symmetry and uniformity in art upper and lower classes strictly defined King followed by nobility, craftsmen, farmers King Tang, first ruler of the Shang Dynasty  Zhou Chronology Western Zhou (1122-770 BC) Eastern Zhou (770-221 BC) Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC) Warring States Period (476-221 BC)  Zhou Dynasties 1122-770 BC (W-Zhou) Several periods of instability Warring States period, 7 kingdoms feudal system 500 BC iron working introduced development of intensive wet-paddy rice agriculture Zhou Dynasty Bronze Vessel  Zhou Philosophers K’ung fu-tzu (Confucius), 551-479 BC challenged divine kingship Was not very popular in his time, but his school achieved great popularity ca. 500 years later (during Han Dynasty) Danced daily with his disciples Five principles of Confucianism: humanity, justice, education, trustworthiness, and refinement Influence still strongly felt today Confucius  Zhou Philosophers Laozi (Lao-Tze), 6th/5th century BC Was he a real person? Sima Qian: Laozi was a contemporary of Confucius Founder of Taoism – living in harmony with the Tao (“Way”) and advocating humility and religious piety Influence on China: extraordinary harmonious symmetrical layout (e.g. “Forbidden City”) Laotse  Zhou burials Bells of the Bronze Age Eminent lord: Zeng Hou Yi 21 teenage concubines 7000 treasured artifacts 64 exquisite bronze bells Symbol of political might (Zeng Wuhan, Hubei province was a minor state under the Chu) The tomb was made ca. 433 BC, during the transition Spring and Autumn period / Warring States Period The tomb of Zeng Hou Yi in Wuhan (Hubei Province, China) Bronze bells for the dead Zhou Dynasties to Qin Dynasty  Qin Dynasty 221-206 BC unification of Ancient China under Qin Shih Huang Ti standardization of law code, written language, coinage, measurement systems conscription for public works, including Great Wall, defence of northern frontier Official philosophy of government: “Legalism” “The burning of books and burying of scholars” (Sima Qian) in 213/210 BC  The Great Wall longest fortification built anywhere 2400 km long and wide enough to fit 6 horses abreast  Burial Mound of Shih Huang Ti 700,000 labourers patterned on the order of the universe models of towers and palaces crossbow traps mercury rivers Megalomania → Qin Shih Huang Ti considered his achievement to reunite all the lands to be of greater importance than even the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors  Burial mound of Shih Huang Ti pottery soldiers arrayed in rows, individual portraits Qin followed by Han Dynasty  Burial Mound of Shih Huang Ti in comparison By Cmglee - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15648830 Comparison of approximate profiles of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor with some notable pyramidal or near-pyramidal buildings. (By By Cmglee - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15648830) Estimate of Tomb Size