Qin Culture: Archaeological Observations from Feudal State to Empire

Author: Teng Mingyu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-12-01
Features: Qin was a small vassal state located in the eastern part of Longdong during the Qin and Western Zhou periods. After establishing its state in the early Eastern Zhou period, it grew and expanded through the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, ultimately unifying the six states and establishing the first centralized unified empire in Chinese history, marking the transition from feudal states to an empire in ancient Chinese state systems. Due to Qin's unique significance in Chinese history, the study of the Qin state, the Qin dynasty, and Qin culture has become a highly focused research area in both history and archaeology. Building on previous research, this book systematically organizes and analyzes archaeological materials related to Qin culture, employing archaeological methods such as cultural affinity analysis and cultural stratigraphy analysis to provide a comprehensive discussion of the entire development process of Qin culture. It proposes two key aspects observable in archaeological materials that reflect the transition from feudal states to an empire in ancient Chinese state systems: the shift in relationships among members of basic social organizations from kinship to geography, and the change in pathways to the ruling group from hereditary succession to merit-based selection. Taking these as entry points, the book combines archaeological research with historical interpretation to offer an archaeological perspective and explanation of a specific aspect of the historical process in China's state development from feudal states to an empire. The book also discusses major issues observed in different stages of Qin cultural development, including the origins of Qin culture and the Qin people; the relationship between Qin culture and Western Zhou culture; the relationship between Qin culture and ancient cultures in northern regions; the relationship between Qin culture and ancient cultures in northwest regions; the relationship between Qin culture and "Chinese" culture; and the flow of Qin culture after it entered the Han dynasty.