Ancient Cultural Relics Nomenclature Atlas

Author: Luo Xizhang
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2001-06-01
Features: This book adopts a picture-reference format to introduce the names of ancient artifacts, their main parts, excavation or collection locations, and their eras, catering to artifact enthusiasts, beginners, and cultural relic workers at the county level and below. It also holds some reference value for cultural heritage professionals. The book is divided into twenty categories, covering ancient bronze wares, Eastern horse equipment, weapons, jade artifacts, musical instruments, as well as detailed examinations of ceramics, steles, gold and silver wares, coins, measuring instruments, agricultural tools, ornaments, writing utensils, architecture, and medical tools. It comprehensively explores nearly all aspects of China's artifact system. With accurate naming, meticulous chronological dating, clear logic, a harmonious blend of text and illustrations, accessibility, and appeal to both scholars and the general public, this book is a modern culmination of traditional studies in this field and has also advanced this traditional discipline.
The Illustrated Dictionary of Ancient Artifact Terminology presents ancient artifacts in a picture-reference format, introducing their names, main parts, excavation or collection locations, and eras, serving as a resource for artifact enthusiasts, beginners, and cultural relic workers at the county level and below, as well as offering some reference value for cultural heritage professionals. The book exclusively includes artifacts excavated in China, excluding foreign artifacts and ancient literary records. It prioritizes artifacts from the pre-Qin and Han periods, followed by those from the Sui and Tang dynasties, with selective inclusion of later periods.
This book is an illustrated glossary, not a pictorial atlas or a compilation of materials. It contains 3,553 artifacts (groups) across various categories, arranged chronologically from early to late periods. Uncommon characters and those with specialized pronunciations are annotated using both pinyin and direct phonetic notation for reader convenience.
The book marks sections requiring explanation with a "※" symbol, followed by corresponding annotations on the same page. It lists alternative names for the same artifact side by side, enclosing the later names in parentheses for easy comparison.
To facilitate finding specific illustrations, the book features a detailed index. To clearly illustrate the structural details of artifacts and reduce printing costs, the book exclusively uses line drawings instead of photographs. These line drawings include various forms such as three-dimensional diagrams, plan diagrams, anatomical diagrams, front views, side views, and top views. For artifacts with very limited quantities that cannot form a separate series, they are grouped with artifacts of similar categories that are more abundant.