Research on the Initial Social Complexification in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River

Author: Guo Lixin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-12-01
Features: The study of the complexity of early human societies and the origins of civilization are closely linked. It primarily explores the transformation from simple and egalitarian primitive societies to complex stratified societies, which is often manifested as specialization in production and exchange, wealth inequality and social differentiation, social stratification, and the concentration and redistribution of wealth, population, and scarce resources. Based on existing archaeological materials, this book systematically examines the natural environment, cultural development sequence, social division of labor, social differentiation, social organization, and structure of the Late Neolithic period in Central China's Yangtze River region, revealing the adjustments and changes in social relationships at different stages of early social complexity. The book is divided into four chapters: Chapter 1 introduces the temporal and spatial background; Chapter 2 explores the main reasons for the emergence of early social complexity from the perspectives of population and economy; Chapter 3 analyzes settlement patterns; Chapter 4 discusses social differentiation using burial materials. It provides a natural and human background for the entire text. The author is a renowned scholar from the Department of Anthropology at Sun Yat-sen University, who has long been engaged in research on this topic. This book is the result of his many years of research.