1st Edition

The Archaeology of Northeast China Beyond the Great Wall

Edited By Sarah Milledge Nelson Copyright 1995
    278 Pages
    by Routledge

    288 Pages
    by Routledge

    An up-to-date synthesis of the archaeology and prehistory of the region called Dongbei by the Chinese, but known in the west as Manchuria. Based on recent archaeological discoveries, the book presents evidence to show that far from being a backwater palely reflecting the glories of central China, Manchuria in prehistory had both its own developmental trajectory, parallel to but different from that of China, and contributed to the formation of the characteristics of what came to be Chinese. New information on the Northeast region of China indicates that it was not populated exclusively by nomadic peoples, but that some of the earliest farming sites can be found here. The Hongshan culture with its Goddess Temple and female figurines is unique, with spectacular and unprecedented jade carving. Lower Xiajiadian culture has painted pottery that can be seen to be the forerunner to the magnificent Shang bronzes.

    INTRODUCTION Part I Neolithic 1 HONGSHAN AND RELATED CULTURES 2 THE HOUWA SITE AND RELATED ISSUES 3 RECENT NEOLITHIC DISCOVERIES IN JILIN PROVINCE 4 THE NEOLITHIC IN HEILONGJIANG PROVINCE Part II Bronze Age 5 LOWER XIAJIADIAN CULTURE 6 “NORTHERN-TYPE” BRONZE ARTIFACTS UNEARTHED IN THE LIAONING REGION, AND RELATED ISSUES 7 BRONZE CULTURE IN JILIN PROVINCE 8 THE BRONZE AGE OF THE SONG-NEN PLAIN CONCLUSION

    Biography

    Sarah Milledge Nelson is Professor and Chair of Anthropology at the University of Denver, Colorado.

    `This fills a big gap in up-to-date information on Chinese prehistory in the English language. Nelson has performed a great service bringing this volume to fruition.' - New Scientist

    `The book-like an archaeological dig itself - is filled wth tantalising information.' - THES