China’s Cultural Relics and Ancient Civilization: An Archaeological Perspective

Inbunden, Engelska, 2026

1 587 kr

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Beskrivning

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.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum:2026-07-23
Mått:148 x 210 x undefined mm
Format:Inbunden
Språk:Engelska
Antal sidor:473
Förlag:Springer Verlag, Singapore
ISBN:9789819579914
Översättare:Zhang Jiguang, Wu Xiaolei, Shang Peipei, Wei Fang, Paul Vincent Bailey

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Mer om författaren

Professor Peng Lin is a leading Chinese archaeologist and historian at Tsinghua University, where he directs the Tsinghua Chinese Classics Research Center. Recipient of a 2016 edX Outstanding Contribution Award, he has pioneered numerous MOOC courses on Chinese culture drawing over 340,000 global learners. His research focuses on unearthed documents, ancient rituals, and China’s early dynastic history.

Innehållsförteckning

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.