Hostname: page-component-89b8bd64d-ksp62 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-05-10T03:43:19.222Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

China's major Late Neolithic centres and the rise of Erlitou

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2019

Chi Zhang ,
A. Mark Pollard ,
Jessica Rawson ,
Limin Huan ,
Ruiliang Liu  and
Xiaojia Tang
Chi Zhang
Affiliation:
School of Archaeology, Center for the Study of Chinese Archaeology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P.R. China
A. Mark Pollard
Affiliation:
Institute of Archaeology, University of Oxford, 36 Beaumont Street, Oxford OX1 2PG, UK
Jessica Rawson*
Affiliation:
Institute of Archaeology, University of Oxford, 36 Beaumont Street, Oxford OX1 2PG, UK
Limin Huan
Affiliation:
Institute of Archaeology, University of Oxford, 36 Beaumont Street, Oxford OX1 2PG, UK
Ruiliang Liu
Affiliation:
Institute of Archaeology, University of Oxford, 36 Beaumont Street, Oxford OX1 2PG, UK
Xiaojia Tang
Affiliation:
Institute of Archaeology, University of Oxford, 36 Beaumont Street, Oxford OX1 2PG, UK
*
*Author for correspondence (Email: jessica.rawson@merton.ox.ac.uk)
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Recent archaeological survey and excavation in China have demonstrated that large sites of the late fourth and third millennia BC were situated not on the Central Plains—where the later dynastic centres were located—but along the Yangtze and lower Yellow River Basins. Their decline in the late third and second millennia BC coincided with the growth of sites to the north of the Central Plains. Evidence for settlement size and a new chronology constructed from radiocarbon dates emphasise discontinuities in the geographic distribution of settlements, combined with continuity in cultural practices of ritual feasts and the use of symbolic jades.

Keywords

ChinaEurasiaErlitouNeolithicsettlementvessel setsjades

Information

Type
Research
Information
Antiquity , Volume 93 , Issue 369 , June 2019 , pp. 588 - 603
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd, 2019 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

Bagley, R.W. 1987. Shang ritual bronzes in the Arthur M. Sackler collections. Washington, D.C.: Arthur M. Sackler Foundation.Google Scholar
Baines, J. & Yoffee, N.. 1998. Order, legitimacy, and wealth in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, in Feinman, G.M. & Marcus, J. (ed.) Archaic states: 199–260. Santa Fe (NM): School of American Research.Google Scholar
Ramsey, Bronk, C. 2017. Methods for summarizing radiocarbon datasets. Radiocarbon 59: 1809–33. https://doi.org/10.1017/RDC.2017.108Google Scholar
Campbell, R.B. 2018. Violence, kinship and the early Chinese state: the Shang and their world. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108178563Google Scholar
Chang, K.-C. 1999. China on the eve of the historical period, in Loewe, M. & Shaughnessy, E.L. (ed.) The Cambridge history of ancient China: from the origins of civilization to 221 B.C.: 37–73. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Chen, G. 2017. Xichengyi-Qijia yejin gongtongti: Hexi Zoulang diqu zaoqi yejin renqun ji xiangguan wenti chutan. Kaogu yu wenwu (5): 37–44.Google Scholar
Chen, G., Li, Y., Qian, W. & Wang, H.. 2015. Zhangye Xichengyi yizhi chutu tongqi de chubu yanjiu. Kaogu yu wenwu (2): 105–18.Google Scholar
Chen, H., Liu, J. & Wang, J.. 2017. Cong yuanliao jiaodu tantao Zhongguo mozhi shiqi chuxian ji fazhan de dongyin. Kaogu (10): 69–77.Google Scholar
Chen, Z., Zong, Y., Wang, Z., Wang, H. & Chen, J.. 2008. Migration patterns of Neolithic settlements on the abandoned Yellow and Yangtze River deltas of China. Quaternary Research 70: 301–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yqres.2008.03.011Google Scholar
Chernykh, E.N. 1992. Ancient metallurgy in the USSR: the Early Metal Age. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Demattè, P. 1999. Longshan-era urbanism: the role of cities in predynastic China. Asian Perspectives 38: 119–53.Google Scholar
Deng, S. 2007. ‘Huaxi xitong yuqi’ guandian xingcheng yu yanjiu zanwang. Gugong xueshu jikan 25(2): 1–54.Google Scholar
Du, J. 2010. Xinmi Guchengzhai Longshan wenhua daxing jianzhu jizhi yanjiu. Huaxia kaogu (1): 61–69.Google Scholar
Du, J. & Xu, H. (ed.). 2005. Yanshi Erlitou yizhi yanjiu. Beijing: Kexue Chubanshe.Google Scholar
Flad, R.K. 2018. Urbanism as technology in early China. Archaeological Research in Asia 14: 121–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ara.2016.09.001Google Scholar
Gao, J. & He, N.. 2014. Taosi yizhi chutu tongqi chutan. Nanfang wenwu (1): 91–95.Google Scholar
Han, J. 2010. Liangzhu, Taosi yu Erlitou—Zaoqi Zhongguo wenming de yanjin zhilu. Kaogu (11): 71–78.Google Scholar
Han, J. 2015. Zaoqi Zhongguo—Zhongguo wenhuaquan de xingcheng he fazhan. Shanghai: Shanghai Guji Chubanshe.Google Scholar
IA CASS. 1965. Jingshan Qujialing. Beijing: Kexue Chubanshe.Google Scholar
IA CASS. 1980. Yinxu Fuhao mu. Beijing: Wenwu Chubanshe.Google Scholar
IA CASS. 1998. Anyang Yinxu Guojiazhuang Shangdai muzang: 1982 nian–1992 nian kaogu fajue baogao. Beijing: Zhongguo Dabaike Quanshu Chubanshe.Google Scholar
IA CASS. 2014. Erlitou: 1999–2006. Beijing: Wenwu Chubanshe.Google Scholar
IA CASS & Shanxisheng Linfenshi Wenwuju. 2015. Xiangfen Taosi: 1978–1985 nian fajue baogao. Beijing: Wenwu Chubanshe.Google Scholar
Jaffe, Y. & Flad, R.. 2018. Prehistoric globalising processes in the Tao River Valley, Gansu, China?, in Boivin, N. & Frachetti, M. (ed.) Globalisation in prehistory: contact, exchange, and the ‘people without history’: 131–61. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108573276.007Google Scholar
Jin, Y., Mo, D., Li, Y., Ding, P., Zong, Y. & Zhuang, Y.. 2018. Ecology and hydrology of early rice farming: geoarchaeological and palaeo-ecological evidence from the Late Holocene paddy field site at Maoshan, the Lower Yangtze. Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences 2018. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-018-0639-1Google Scholar
Kristiansen, K. & Larsson, T.B.. 2005. The rise of Bronze Age society: travels, transmissions and transformations. Cambridge & New York: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Li, B., Liu, H., Wu, L., McCloskey, T.A., Li, K. & Mao, L.. 2014. Linking the vicissitude of Neolithic cities with Mid Holocene environment and climate changes in the middle Yangtze River, China. Quaternary International 321(Supplement C): 22–28. https://doi/org/10.1016/j.quaint.2013.11.018Google Scholar
Li, F. 2013. Early China: a social and cultural history. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Li, L. 2016. Women de Zhongguo. Volume 1: Mangmang Yu ji: Zhongguo de liangci da yitong. Beijing: Sanlian Shudian.Google Scholar
Li, M. 2017. Chongfan Xia xu: Shehui jiyi yu jingdan de fasheng. Kaogu xuebao (3): 287–316.Google Scholar
Li, S. 2006. The regional characteristics and interactions between the early bronze metallurgies of the Northwest and Central Plains. Chinese Archaeology 6(1): 132–39.Google Scholar
Linduff, K.M. & Mei, J.. 2009. Metallurgy in ancient Eastern Asia: retrospect and prospects. Journal of World Prehistory 22: 265–81. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10963-009-9023-5Google Scholar
Linduff, K.M., Sun, Y., Cao, W. & Liu, Y.. 2017. Ancient China and its Eurasian neighbors: artifacts, identity and death in the frontier, 3000–700 BCE. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108290555Google Scholar
Liu, B., Wang, N., Chen, M., Wu, X., Mo, D., Liu, J., Xu, S. & Zhuang, Y.. 2017. Earliest hydraulic enterprise in China, 5100 years ago. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA 114: 13637–42. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1710516114Google Scholar
Liu, L. & Chen, X.. 2003. State formation in early China. London: Duckworth.Google Scholar
Liu, L. & Chen, X.. 2012. The archaeology of China: from the Late Paleolithic to the Early Bronze Age. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Meng, H. & Xiang, Q. (ed.). 2015. Hubei shiqian chengzhi. Beijing: Kexue Chubanshe.Google Scholar
Peng, Y., Xiao, J., Nakamura, T., Liu, B. & Inouchi, Y.. 2005. Holocene East Asian monsoonal precipitation pattern revealed by grain-size distribution of core sediments of Daihai Lake in Inner Mongolia of north-central China. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 233: 467–79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2005.02.022Google Scholar
Owlett, T.E., Liu, L. & Underhill, A.P.. 2018. Emerging approaches to the development of urbanization in early China. Archaeological Research in Asia 14: 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ara.2017.12.003Google Scholar
Qin, L. 2015. Quanli yu xinyang: jiedu Liangzhu yuqi yu shehui, in Yanjiusuo, Zhejiangsheng Kaogu & Kaoguxue Yanjiu Zhongxin, Beijing Daxue Zhongguo (ed.) Quanli yu xinyang: Liangzhu yizhiqun kaogu tezhan: 13–49. Beijing: Wenwu Chubanshe.Google Scholar
Rawson, J. 1995. Chinese jade: from the Neolithic to the Qing. London: British Museum.Google Scholar
Rawson, J. 2017. China and the steppe: reception and resistance. Antiquity 9: 375–88. https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2016.276Google Scholar
Reimer, P.J. et al. 2013. IntCal13 and Marine13 radiocarbon age calibration curves 0–50 000 years cal BP. Radiocarbon 55: 1869–87. https://doi.org/10.2458/azu_js_rc.55.16947Google Scholar
Renfrew, A.C. & Liu, B.. 2018. The emergence of complex society in China: the case of Liangzhu. Antiquity 92: 975–90. https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2018.60Google Scholar
Guanlichu, Shandongsheng Wenwu & Bowuguan, Jinanshi (ed.). 1974. Dawenkou: Xinshiqi shidai muzang fajue baogao. Beijing: Wenwu Chubanshe.Google Scholar
Shandongsheng Wenwu Kaogu Yanjiusuo (ed.). 1997. Dawenkou xuji: Dawenkou yizhi dier, disan ci fajue baogao. Beijing: Kexue Chubanshe.Google Scholar
Shelach-Lavi, G. & Jaffe, Y.. 2014. The earliest states in China: a long-term trajectory approach. Journal of Archaeological Research 22: 327–64. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10814-014-9074-8Google Scholar
Sun, Z., Shao, J., Shao, A., Kang, N., Qu, F. & Liu, X.. 2013. Shaanxi Shenmuxian Shimao yizhi. Kaogu (7): 15–24.Google Scholar
Sun, Z., Shao, J., Di, N., Kang, N., Zhao, Y., Shao, A. & Xia, N.. 2017. Shaanxi Shenmuxian Shimao chengzhi Huangchengtai didian. Kaogu (7): 46–56.Google Scholar
Sun, Z., Shao, J., Liu, L., Cui, J., Bonomo, M.F., Guo, Q., Wu, X. & Wang, J.. 2018. The first Neolithic urban center on China's north Loess Plateau: the rise and fall of Shimao. Archaeological Research in Asia 14: 33–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ara.2017.02.004Google Scholar
Underhill, A.P. 2002. Craft production and social change in northern China. New York: Kluwer Academic. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-0641-6Google Scholar
Underhill, A.P. 2018. Urbanization and new social contexts for consumption of food and drink in northern China. Archaeological Research in Asia 14: 7–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ara.2017.07.004Google Scholar
Vandiver, P.B., Ruan, F., Fang, H., Yu, H., Cai, F. & Underhill, A.P.. 2005. Shandong Rizhaoshi Liangchengzhen Longshan wenhua taoqi de chubu yanjiu. Kaogu (8): 65–73.Google Scholar
Wang, W. & Ma, M.. 2006. Shaanbei xinshiqi shidai shicheng juluo de faxian yu chubu yanjiu. Zhongguo Shehui Kexueyuan Gudai Wenming Yanjiu Zhongxin tongxun 11: 34–44.Google Scholar
Wang, X., Mo, D., Li, C., Yu, S., Xue, B., Liu, B., Wang, H. & Shi, C.. 2017. Environmental changes and human activities at a fortified site of the Liangzhu Culture in eastern China: evidence from pollen and charcoal records. Quaternary International 438: 189–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2017.05.001Google Scholar
Xia Shang Zhou Duandai Gongcheng Zhuanjiazu. 2000. Xia Shang Zhou Duandai Gongcheng 1996–2000 nian jieduan chengguo baogao (jianben). Beijing: Shijie Tushu Chuban Gongsi.Google Scholar
Xu, H. 2017. Xian Qin chengyi kaogu. Beijing: Jincheng Chubanshe.Google Scholar
Xu, H. 2018. Erlitou: the origin of the tradition of non-fortified primary capitals in early China. Archaeological Research in Asia 14: 71–79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ara.2017.11.003Google Scholar
Yang, J. 2016. Ouya caoyuan dongbu de jinshu zhilu. Shanghai: Shanghai Guji Chubanshe.Google Scholar
Yang, X. 2004. Urban revolution in late prehistoric China, in Yang, X. (ed.) New perspectives on China's past: Chinese archaeology in the twentieth century: 98–143. New Haven (CT): Yale University Press.Google Scholar
Yuan, J. & Campbell, R.B.. 2009. Recent archaeometric research on ‘the origins of Chinese civilisation’. Antiquity 83: 96–109. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0003598X00098112Google Scholar
Zhang, C. 2003. Changjiang zhongxiayou diqu shiqian juluo yanjiu. Beijing: Wenwu Chubanshe.Google Scholar
Zhang, C. 2013. Qujialing-Shijiahe wenhua de juluo yu shehui, in Wenbo Xueyuan, Beijing Daxue Kaogu & Kaoguxue Yanjiu Zhongxin, Beijng Daxue Zhongguo (ed.) Kaoguxue yanjiu 10: 324–51. Beijing: Kexue Chubanshe.Google Scholar
Zhang, C. 2015. Dawenkou daxing muzang de zangyi, in Zhang, C. (ed.) Shehui quanli de qiyuan: Zhongguo shiqian zangyi zhong de shehui yu guannian: 241–78. Beijing: Wenwu Chubanshe.Google Scholar
Zhang, C. 2017. Longshan-Erlitou: Zhongguo shiqian wenhua geju de gaibian yu qingtong shidai quanqiuhua de xingcheng. Wenwu (6): 50–59.Google Scholar
Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology. 2016. Survey of the water control system on the periphery of the Liangzhu ancient city in Hangzhou. Chinese Archaeology 16(1): 108–18. https://doi.org/10.1515/char-2016-0010Google Scholar
Zhejiangsheng Wenwu Kaogu Yanjiusuo. 2003. Liangzhu yizhiqun kaogu baogao 1: Yaoshan. Beijing: Wenwu Chubanshe.Google Scholar
Zhejiangsheng Wenwu Kaogu Yanjiusuo 2014. Liangzhu yizhiqun kaogu baogao 6: Bianjiashan. Beijing: Wenwu Chubanshe.Google Scholar
Zhu, N. 2017. Qijia wenhua yucong de xingzhi tezheng yu niandai ji shiyong gongneng yu wenhua chuantong. Zhongguo Shehui Kexueyuan Gudai Wenming Yanjiu Zhongxin tongxun 31: 4–20.Google Scholar
Supplementary material: PDF

Rawson et al. supplementary material

Rawson et al. supplementary material 1

Download Rawson et al. supplementary material(PDF)
PDF 569.5 KB