China's Cultural Relics and Ancient Civilization: An Archaeological Perspective
Description
This book offers a compelling archaeological exploration of China's millennia-old civilization. It masterfully synthesizes material evidence with classical texts such as The Rites of Zhou ( Zhouli ), anchored by 15 iconic cultural artifacts. These range from the Jiahu bone flute (a testament to the sophistication of early Chinese musical systems) and the Liangzhu jade cong (a symbol of early political hierarchy and ritual authority) to the Four-Ram Square zun (a masterpiece of Shang Dynasty bronze craftsmanship) and the astronomical lacquer box from the tomb of Marquis Yi of Zeng.
Adopting a rigorous interdisciplinary approach spanning archaeology, history, astronomy, metallurgy, and ritual studies, Peng Lin illuminates the technical ingenuity, cultural traditions, and social structures of ancient China, while highlighting the unity in diversity that shaped the evolution of Chinese civilization. Far from a static exhibition of relics, the book employs a "dual evidence" approach-cross-checking unearthed materials against received texts-to challenge fragmented interpretations of the past. Essential reading for university liberal arts curricula, it offers scholars and general readers alike a nuanced yet accessible lens on the nexus between material culture and the origins of Chinese civilization.
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Persons
Professor Peng Lin is a distinguished historian and specialist in ritual studies at Tsinghua University, where he serves as Director of the Center for Chinese Ritual Studies. A recipient of the 2016 edX Outstanding Contribution Award, he has developed acclaimed MOOC courses on Chinese culture that have attracted over 340,000 learners worldwide. His research focuses on Confucian classics, ancient ritual systems, and the use of unearthed texts in reconstructing pre-Qin and early imperial history.
Content
Lecture 1: Agricultural Origins in Ancient China: New Perspectives from the Hemudu Bone Spade.- Lecture 2: The Origins of Chinese Musical Scale: Evidence from the Jiahu Bone Flutes.- Lecture 3: Painted Pottery Traditions in China: Evidence from the Shangsunjiazhai Dance Scene Basin.- Lecture 4: Early Textile Technologies in China: The Hemudu Silkworm Motif and Pre-Qin Textile Traditions.- Lecture 5: Jade Culture in Prehistoric China: Evidence from The Royal Cong of Liangzhu.- Lecture 6: Bronze Age Developments in the Yangtze Valley: The Four-Ram Square Zun and Shang Material Culture.- Lecture 7: Environmental Change and Elephants in Ancient China: Evidence from the Ivory Cup from the Tomb of Fu Hao.- Lecture 8: Ritual and Music in Bronze Age China: Evidence from the Fu Hao Bronze Assemblage.- Lecture 9: Early Chinese Astronomy: The Marquis Yi of Zeng Lacquer Chest Star Map and the Origin of the Twenty-Eight Constellations.- Lecture 10: Musical Acoustics in Early China: Jun Zhong from Marquis Yi of Zeng's Tomb and Ancient Tuning Systems.- Lecture 11: Metallurgical Traditions in the Wu and Yue Regions: The Goujian Sword and Bronze Technology.- Lecture 12: The Bronze Chariots and Horses from the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor and Pre-Qin Chariot-building Technology.- Lecture 13: Maritime Technology in Ancient China: Evidence from the Quanzhou Ship of the Song Dynasty.- Lecture 14: Ancient Chinese Theory of Meridians and Collaterals: Evidence from the Zhengtong Bronze Acupuncture Figure.- Lecture 15: The Impact of I Ching and The Rites of Zhou on the Design of the Forbidden City and Beijing.