This book involves collection of papers primarily focused on the origin and development of Chinese civilization in the concept of archaeological context from the 6000 BCE to 1300 BCE through archaeological cultural perspectives. It systematically illustrates the prehistoric cultural history of China at the period from Neolithic to the early Bronze Age during 20000-1300 BCE, composing not only the proper region around the Central Plain but also the margin areas mainly in the west, and examines the cultural relationship and exchanges nationally and internationally through thousand years of advancing social complexity in geographical and temporal genealogies. It introduces three prehistoric stages for the course of Chinese Civilization Development; the three major Civilization Development Models during the Chalcolithic period; how environmental changes and warfare functioned as the part of mechanism to make civilization evolve; the Bronze Age Revolution from the West; and the critical evaluation of the characteristics belonging to Chinese Civilization and the review of ancient legendary histories and legends through the archaeological perspectives. This book is essential reading for all those wanting more information about the foundations of Chinese history and civilization through archaeological studies.

Focuses on the origin and development of Chinese civilization in the concept of archaeological context Illustrates the prehistoric cultural history of China Examines the cultural relationship and exchanges nationally and internationally

Autorentext

Jianye Han is Professor in the Department of Archaeology and Museology, School of History, Renmin University of China.

Inhalt
Part I. The Origin, Formation and Early Evolution of Chinese Civilization.- 1. In Search of the Cultural Early China from Prehistoric Remains.- 2. The Earliest China: Formation of Early China as a Pluralistic Unity.- 3. The Peiligang Era and Origin of Chinese Wenming.- 4. The Migration Influence of the Peiligang Culture and the Rudiments of the Early Chinese Cultural Sphere.- 5. Clan Burial and Ancestral Veneration of the Peiligang Era.- 6. The Miaodigou Era and the Early China.- 7. An Analysis of the Dawenkou Cemetery.- 8. The Ancient Cities of Liangzhu, Taosi and Erlitou: the Evolution of Early Chinese Civilization.- 9. Liangzhu: An Early State with Regional Sovereign Power.- 10. Shimao: Cultural Coordinates and Civilizational Dimensions.- Part II. The Three Regional Patterns of the Origin of the Chinese Civilization.- 11. The General Tendency and Different Patterns of Societal Development in the Chalcolithic Age.- 12. The Xipo Cemetery in Lingbao Country and the Zhongyuan (the Central Plains) Pattern".- 13. The Middle Reaches of the Yellow River: Its Central Position in the Civilizing Process.- 14. The Central Plains and the Jiang-Han Rivers Region: A Comparison of Their Civilizing Processes.- 15. The Central Plains and the Northern Region in the Longshan Era: A Comparison of Their Civilizing Processes.- 16. The Central Plains and the Haidai Region: A Comparison of Their Civilizing Processes.- 17. The Three Burial Traditions in Longshan Era.- Part III. Environmental Evolution, War and Conflict, and the Evolving Mechanism of Civilizations.- 18. Holocene Loess: the Material Foundation of Early Chinese Civilization.- 19. The Impact of the Climate Events of 5000 to 4000 Years BP on the Culture of Northern China.- 20. Heroes in Times of Chaos, Civilization out of Age of Turbulence: Formation of Early Chinese Civilization and Cold-Dry Climate Events.- 21. Neolithic Wars and the Evolution of Early Chinese Civilization.- Part IV. Origin of the Chinese Culture and Its Outbound Interactions.- 22. On the Dawn of the Erlitou Bronze Civilization.- 23. A Brief Overview of China's Bronze Age Revolution.- Part V. Culture Genes and Historical Memory.- 24. 8000 Years Old Cultural Genes of Early China Revealed from Archaeological Discoveries.- 25. Violent Cultural Changes in the Longshan Era and Tribal Warfare in the Legendary Era.- 26. Ancient Historical Legends: To be Considered in Studies of the Origin of Chinese Civilization.- 27. Ancient History of Legendary Era: Not Unverifiable.- 28. An Archaeological Approach to Studies of the History of the Legendary Era.