Zhengzhou Dashi (2002-2003): China. Zhengzhou Archaeological Four

Author: Science Press
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-11-01
Features: Since the winter of 2002, the Zhengzhou Municipal Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology has conducted continuous drilling and archaeological excavations at the Dashiогу site in the northwest suburbs of Zhengzhou, discovering a late Erlitou Culture city site. Simultaneously, large-scale early Shang moats and abundant early Shang cultural remains were found within the city site. The Dashiогу Erlitou Culture city site is the only Erlitou Culture city site discovered in China to date. Its discovery fills the gap in urban archaeology of the Xia Dynasty in China, providing important materials for further research on the Xia Dynasty's state and social structure, and for an in-depth exploration of the origins of Chinese civilization. It also holds significant academic value for addressing major scholarly issues in Xia-Shang archaeology, such as the relationship between the late Xia and Shang cultures, and the transition period between the two.
This book systematically introduces the findings of the 2002 excavation at the Dashiогу site in Zhengzhou, explaining the stratigraphy, characteristics, and dating of the Erlitou and early Shang cultures at the site. It provides a detailed report on the form, structure, and construction methods of the Xia Dynasty city site. Initial discussions are presented on the founding and abandonment dates of the city site, as well as its nature. It is believed that the city site was established in the late stage of the second Erlitou Culture period and abandoned between the late stage of the fourth Erlitou Culture period and the early stage of the lower Yanggang period. The nature of the city site may have been a military stronghold or a state capital of the Eastern Xia Dynasty.
This book is suitable for archaeologists, museum professionals, historians, and educators.