Xinjiang Polychrome Pottery

Author: Xinjiang Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, edited by Mu Shunying, compiled by Qi Xiaoshan
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1998-08-01
Features: In the past decade or so, a large number of painted pottery vessels have been unearthed from ancient cultural sites and tombs in Xinjiang, attracting attention from the archaeological community. The unique shapes, vibrant colors, and diverse patterns of these painted pottery pieces have also garnered interest from various fields. Xinjiang's painted pottery can be broadly divided into four groups based on their distribution areas, vessel forms, and decorative patterns. One group is centered around the Hami region, including Hami, Balikun, and Yiwu. Another group is centered around the southern foothills of the Tianshan Mountains, including Turpan, Shanshan, Tuokexun, the Aregou and Yuerigou in the southern mountains of Urumqi, and possibly extending northward to Jimusar, Qitai, and Mule. A third group is centered around the Heshan-Luntai region, with its cultural distribution extending to the banks of the Kizil River in the Kuqa and Bayin County areas. The fourth group is primarily centered around the Ili region, including Zhaosu, Xinyuan, and Chabchaer. Some groups, such as those in Hami and Heshan, can be further subdivided into several categories. They are introduced separately by line and category. The discovery of a large number of painted pottery pieces in ancient sites within Xinjiang is a significant achievement in recent archaeological work in the region. Following the publication of Gansu Painted Pottery and Qinghai Painted Pottery, it is a pleasant event that Xinjiang Painted Pottery has now been compiled and published.