Feijiahe culture

Last updated
Feijiahe culture
Feijiahe culture map.svg
Geographical rangeEast of Dongting Lake
Period Bronze Age China
Datesc. 1300 – 1000 BC
Type site Feijiahe and Zhangshutan [1]
Major sitesFeijiahe, Zhangshutan, Duimenshan, Tonggushan
Preceded by Erligang culture

The Feijiahe culture, also known as Zhangshutan-Feijiahe culture [2] [3] or Duimenshan-Feijiahe, [4] [5] is a Bronze Age archaeological culture in China. [5] It has been commonly dated to approximately 1300 to 1000 BC. Centered in the area east of Dongting Lake, the Feijiahe culture was a post-Erligang culture marked by the increase of localized traditions.

Contents

History

Area of the Erligang culture. Panlongcheng was the center of an Erligang culture variant. Erligang map.svg
Area of the Erligang culture. Panlongcheng was the center of an Erligang culture variant.

The Feijiahe culture has been usually dated as beginning around 1300 BC, [lower-alpha 1] existing mostly simultaneously with the Late Shang state which was centered at Yinxu. [7] [8] It has been described as an "indigenous culture" of northeastern Hunan. [3]

Even though the Feijiahe culture sites are variable, they have been grouped together by archaeologists [2] as they exist in a geographic cluster and share certain elements. [1] The Feijiahe sites emerged during a period of fragmentation in Hubei and Hunan, [2] east of Dongting Lake. [4] This area had previously been dominated by Panlongcheng, a site associated with the Erligang culture of the Central Plains. However, Panlongcheng's connections to the Central Plains waned from around 1300 BC, allowing smaller, local sites such as those associated with the Feijiahe culture to grow. [9] The Feijiahe culture appears to have profiliated and expanded just as the Erligang culture retreated, with the main Erligang site east of Dongting Lake, Tonggushan, entering its terminal phase or already being abandoned. [1] The Feijiahe culture was possibly also influenced by other cultures such as those in Jiangxi. [3]

The Feijiahe culture was marked by a "flourishing bronze industry" which produced ding cauldrons, nao bells, zun , and possibly you vessels. These bronzes showed significant differences to bronze objects produced in the Central Plains at the time, with animal motifs and forms such as nao and zun being more uncommon further north. [4] In addition, the culture differed in regards to where the objects have been found: Whereas bronzes of the Central Plains were mostly associated with graves, Feijiahe culture objects are often found in pits or on mountaintops. [6] As a result, bronze objects of the region including those of the Feijiahe culture are difficult to date, as they are often found in relative isolation. [10] However, bronze remained a scarce commodity for the culture; in contrast, pottery was produced in much greater numbers and played a much more important role. [3] Large amounts of glazed and unglazed ceramics were unearthed at Feijiahe culture sites; these are distinct from other regional ceramic traditions such as those in Jiangxi. [8] However, the exact usage and roles of many ceramic objects remains unclear. [3]

Overall, the Feijiahe culture seems to have existed in a period when its territory, the Yueyang area, was a hub for interregional exchange and trade. [3] Its ceramics showcased Erligang, [1] Jiangxi, and Sichuan influences. [3] In turn, pottery of the Feijiahe culture was exported to other regions, with Guo Shengbin even suggested that the local products were exported to centers of the Shang dynasty. [3]

Sites

Bronze nao bell with animal motif, unearthed at Feijiahe in 1971. Bronze Nao with Animal Face Patterns, Shang dynasty, Hunan Museum.jpg
Bronze nao bell with animal motif, unearthed at Feijiahe in 1971.

The Feijiahe culture is associated with the sites of Feijiahe, Tonggushan, Zhangshutan, Duimenshan, Yusishan, [2] Wenjiashan, [1] and Laoyazhou. [11] All of the sites are east of Dongting Lake, and most are close to the Xinqiang River. Yusishan is located at the banks of the Mi-Luo River southeast of Dongting Lake. [1]

Tonggushan is mainly a site of the Erligang culture, [1] known for findings of Erligang-style bronzes and ceramics. [2] It was occupied since at least the Erligang II period, [12] and had probably been founded by non-native settlers from the north, as it shared little in regards to culture with local traditions and was founded on virgin land despite the region being densely inhabited since the Neolithic. [13] Accordingly, archaeologists speculated that Tonggushan might have served as outpost of Panlongcheng or the Erligang culture in general. [2] [13] Over time, local elements became more dominant, [2] and by the middle Shang dynasty (Xiaoshuangqiao-Huanbei II period), the site showed a strong mixture of local and Shang elements. At this point, it was possibly influenced by Wucheng, Baota, Jingnansi. [12] Tonggushan remained occpied into the late Shang dynasty and became largely localized as well as fully integrated into the Feijiahe culture; [2] it was abandoned around the same time of Panlongcheng's final demise, [14] around 1200 BC. [4] Overall, Tonggushan appears to have influenced several nearby sites and led to a continued small-scale bronze production after the regional demise of the Erligang culture. [11]

The Feijiahe site yielded sixty-three kilns, an "astonishing" find, [1] and a massive bronze nao bell. [3] Zhangshutan was occupied since the late Erligang period [2] [1] until the end of the Shang dynasty, approximately from 1300 to 1000 BC. [1] Slag and fragments of molds associated with the production of bronze objects were found at Zhangshutan. [11] However, the site is especially rich in pottery remains, and appears to have been a production center for pottery. As a result, it has become gradually recognized as the main type site of the culture. [1] The site was probably under the influence of Tonggushan. [11] Laoyazhou is also dated to the post-Erligang period; the site yielded crucibles for bronze production. It is associated with Zhangshutan and Yusishan, and was also influenced by Tonggushan. [11] Stone molds for bronze implements were found at Wenjiashan, south of Zhangshutan. [1]

The sites of the Feijiahe culture probably received raw materials from the mining centers of Tonglushan and Tongling located further south. [11]

Notes

  1. ↑ Findings at Tanheli have led some researchers such as Xiang Taochu to suggest a much later date for hybrid cultures in southern China. According to this proposal, sites in Hunan, including Tanheli, were home to refugees of the Shang dynasty after the latter had been overthrown by the Zhou dynasty around 1000 BC. Accordingly, the Shang immigrants and locals formed a mixed culture which consequently persisted during the Western Zhou period. [6] However, this hypothesis has been challenged, with Robin McNeal arguing in 2014 that the "current archaeological data" does not yet support such conclusions. [3]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shang dynasty</span> Chinese royal dynasty (c. 1600–1045 BC)

The Shang dynasty, also known as the Yin dynasty, was a Chinese royal dynasty that ruled in the Yellow River valley during the second millennium BC, traditionally succeeding the Xia dynasty and followed by the Western Zhou dynasty. The classic account of the Shang comes from texts such as the Book of Documents, Bamboo Annals and Records of the Grand Historian. Modern scholarship dates the dynasty between the 16th to 11th centuries BC, with more agreement surrounding the end date than beginning date.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xia dynasty</span> Traditional first dynasty in China

The Xia dynasty is the first dynasty in traditional Chinese historiography. According to tradition, it was established by the legendary figure Yu the Great, after Shun, the last of the Five Emperors, gave the throne to him. In traditional historiography, the Xia was succeeded by the Shang dynasty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erlitou culture</span> Bronze Age culture in China

The Erlitou culture was an early Bronze Age society and archaeological culture. It existed in the Yellow River valley from approximately 1900 to 1500 BC. The culture is named after Erlitou, an archaeological site in Yanshi, Henan. It was widely spread throughout Henan and Shanxi and later appeared in Shaanxi and Hubei. Most archaeologists consider Erlitou the first state-level society in China. Chinese archaeologists generally identify the Erlitou culture as the site of the Xia dynasty, but there is no firm evidence, such as writing, to substantiate such a linkage, as the earliest evidence of Chinese writing dates to the Late Shang period.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Majiayao culture</span> 3300–2000 BC Chinese archaeological culture

The Majiayao culture was a group of neolithic communities who lived primarily in the upper Yellow River region in eastern Gansu, eastern Qinghai and northern Sichuan, China. The culture existed from 3300 to 2000 BC. The Majiayao culture represents the first time that the upper Yellow River region was widely occupied by agricultural communities and it is famous for its painted pottery, which is regarded as a peak of pottery manufacturing at that time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erligang culture</span> Bronze Age culture in China

The Erligang culture is a Bronze Age urban civilization and archaeological culture in China that existed from approximately 1600 to 1400 BC. The primary site, Zhengzhou Shang City, was discovered at Erligang, within the modern city of Zhengzhou, Henan, in 1951.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panlongcheng</span> Archaeological site in Hubei, China

Panlongcheng or Panlong City is an archaeological site associated with the Erligang culture during the Shang dynasty period. The site is located just north of the Yangtze river, on the bank of the Panlong lake, and is surrounded by the Fushui river in Huangpi, Wuhan, Hubei, China. Panlongcheng is the largest excavated Erligang site, showing the southernmost reach of the Erligang culture at its peak. It was discovered in 1954, and excavated in 1974 and 1976.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dayangzhou site</span>

The Dayangzhou Chengjia site is an archaeological site located on the Gan River in Dayangzhou Town, Xingan County, Jiangxi, China. The site was excavated in 1989, and it dates to around 1200 BCE. The rich offerings of bronze and jade objects made it the second richest burial site known after the Fu Hao's tomb.

The Wucheng culture (吳城文化) was a Bronze Age archaeological culture in Jiangxi, China. The initial site, spread out over 4 km2 (1.5 sq mi), was discovered at Wucheng Township, Jiangxi. Located on the Gan River, the site was first excavated in 1973. The Wucheng culture probably developed in response to cultural contacts with the expanding Erligang culture, melding Erligang influences with local traditions. The Wucheng culture was a distinct contemporary of Sanxingdui and Yinxu (Anyang).

The Xia–Shang–Zhou Chronology Project was a multi-disciplinary project commissioned by the People's Republic of China in 1996 to determine with accuracy the location and time frame of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zhukaigou culture</span>

The Zhukaigou culture was a late Neolithic and early Bronze Age culture centered in the Ordos Plateau of Inner Mongolia, China. The type site at Zhukaigou was discovered in Ejin Horo Banner, Inner Mongolia, and excavated from 1977 to 1984. Zhukaigou culture is a reputed progenitor of the Ordos bronze culture and accordingly a first "Northern Zone" culture, extending to northern and central Inner Mongolia, northern Shaanxi, and northern Shanxi, with the Ordos region at its center. Transition to metalworking is dated to around the end of the third millennium BCE, at the same time was attained a higher level in the ceramic. Zhukaigou culture lasted to c. 1500 BCE.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shang archaeology</span>

Shang archaeology is concerned with the archaeological evidence for the Chinese Shang dynasty. Choice of excavation sites and interpretation of finds have been heavily influenced by the textual historical record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siwa culture</span>

The Siwa culture was a Bronze Age culture in southeast Gansu Province, China. It was discovered by Swedish geologist Johan Gunnar Andersson in 1924 at Mount Siwa (寺洼山) in Lintao County, hence its name. It flourished circa 14th to 11th century BC, it is tentatively attributed to the cultures of the Northern Di, Qiang, and Xunyu peoples.

<i>Gu</i> (vessel) Ancient Chinese ritual bronze vessel

A gu is a type of ancient Chinese ritual bronze vessel from the Shang and Zhou dynasties. It was used to drink wine or to offer ritual libations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zhengzhou Shang City</span> Archeological site in Zhengzhou, China

The Zhengzhou Shang City is an archaeological site of the Bronze Age Erligang culture in Zhengzhou, Henan, China. Studies give it 4 chronological phases from 1630 to 1400 BC. The excavation of the site is of great importance in understanding the history of the dynasty. It is also one of the oldest archeological sites in China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yueshi culture</span> Archaeological culture in China

The Yueshi culture was an archaeological culture in the Shandong region of eastern China, dated from 1900 to 1500 BC. It spanned the period from the Late Neolithic to the early Bronze Age. In the Shandong area, it followed the Longshan culture period and was later replaced by the Erligang culture.

The Zhou–Chu War was a military conflict between the Zhou dynasty under King Zhao and the state of Chu from 961 to 957 BC. King Zhao personally led at least two major campaigns against Chu and other states and tribes of the middle Yangtze region, initially conquering the lands north of the Yangtze and the Han River valley. Eventually, however, the Zhou forces suffered a crushing defeat, with half of their armed forces as well as King Zhao killed, subsequently losing control of much conquered territory. The war ended the era of Western Zhou's early expansion and forced it into the defense against foreign aggressors. On the other side, Chu consolidated its de facto independence and would continue to grow into one of the most powerful states of China.

Xinzhai is an early Bronze Age archaeological site that was found 1979 in Henan, China. It is located about 20 kilometres (12 mi) southeast of Xinmi, Zhengzhou.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Late Shang</span> Earliest known literate civilization in China

The Late Shang state, or Anyang period, is the earliest known literate civilization in China, spanning the reigns of the last nine kings of the Shang dynasty, beginning with Wu Ding in the late 13th century BC and ending with the overthrow of the Shang by the Zhou in the mid-11th century BC. The state is known from artifacts recovered from its capital at a site near Anyang now known as Yinxu and other sites across the North China Plain. One of the richest finds was the Tomb of Fu Hao at Yinxu, thought to belong to a consort of Wu Ding mentioned in Shang inscriptions.

References

Works cited

  • Campbell, Roderick B. (2014). Archaeology of the Chinese Bronze Age: From Erlitou to Anyang. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN   978-1-931745-98-7.
  • Flad, Rowan K.; Chen, Pochan (2013). Ancient Central China: Centers and Peripheries along the Yangzi River. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN   978-0-521-89900-0.
  • Liu, Li; Chen, Xingcan (2012). The Archaeology of China: From the Late Paleolithic to the Early Bronze Age. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN   978-0-521-64310-8.
  • McNeal, Robin (2014). "Erligang Contacts South of the Yangzi River: The Expansion". In Kyle Steinke; Dora C.Y. Ching (eds.). Art and Archaeology of the Erligang Civilization. Princeton: Princeton University. pp. 173–190. ISBN   978-0-691-15994-2.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.