Chinese Archaeology (The Two Zhou Periods Volume)

Author: Zhang Changshou
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: From the establishment of the Zhou Dynasty by King Wu in 1046 BC after his conquest of the Shang Dynasty to the founding of the Qin Dynasty by Qin Shi Huang in 221 BC, this period is known as the Zhou Dynasty. King Wu and King Ping of Zhou established their capitals in Xi'an and Luoyang, respectively, which led historians to refer to this era as the Western Zhou and Eastern Zhou. Chinese Archaeology: The Two Zhou Periods introduces a series of archaeological excavations and research findings conducted by Chinese archaeologists on Two Zhou sites during the 20th century. These discoveries have not only filled gaps in historical records but also provided diverse perspectives on the higher historical civilization created during the more than 800 years of the Zhou Dynasty compared to the Shang Dynasty, as well as offering insights into the inevitable trend of social transformation and the shift toward feudalism during the Eastern Zhou period. The Two Zhou periods represent the peak of China's Bronze Age. Many extraordinary bronze artifacts were created, and artificial iron smelting also emerged. Readers can learn about the social, political, and economic conditions of the time from the descriptions of the scale, layout, and unearthed artifacts of the capitals during the Two Zhou periods. They can observe the "ritual system" established by the Duke of Zhou and the process of its decline ("the collapse of rituals and the disintegration of music"), and appreciate the outstanding creativity of ancient people in agriculture, handicrafts, and art and culture. This further highlights the profound and far-reaching impact of the civilization achievements of the Two Zhou periods on later developments. The volume is rich in references and covers a broad range of topics, making it an invaluable resource for researchers in archaeology, history, ethnology, art history, cultural relics, and museums.