Formation of Chinese Civilization

The Three Dynasties

Xia (Hsia) (2200?-1766? BCE)

Shang 1766?-ca. 1045 BCE

Zhou (Chou) ca. 1045-256 BCE

Theories of Origins of Chinese Neolithic

1) Derived from Near East, 1920

J. G. Andersson, 1920

Yangshao

Major reasons for doubts

Main crop: Millet

Main domesticated animal: Pig

2) Nuclear indigenous center, 1959-79

Yangshao to Longshan

3) Multiple indigenous centers, 1980-present

3a) K. C. Chang interpretation (Harvard)

Multiple indigenous centers to 4000 BCE

“Chinese” culture after 4000 BCE

Example: Tripod pottery found in all regions

3b) Robert Bagley (Princeton)

Multiple indigenous centers to ca. 1000 BCE

Early Neolithic Cultures

Yangshao (ca. 4500-3000 BCE), Central Plain

Painted Pottery culture

Millet

Domesticated Dogs and Pigs

Tools

Village life

Religion

Hongshan (ca. 4700-2920 BCE), Liao River Valley in NE

Millet farming

Rich burials

Fine jade work

Painted and unpainted pottery

Religion

Dawenkou (ca. 4300-2500 BCE)

Characteristics of Shang Complex Society at Anyang

1) Urban settlement

Inner city

50 large buildings

Outskirts

Artisan’s workshops

farmers’ houses

2) A mature writing system

Oracle bones
Common formula: “Date, The diviner X asks on behalf of the king,...”

3) Chamber burials with humans sacrifices

Vertical Pit with ramp

Wooden structure at pit bottom

Tomb of Fu Hao, ca. 1250 BCE

4) High level bronze technology

Ceremonial vessels

Animal motifs

Taotie

Weapons

Instruments

5) Horse-drawn chariots

Zhou Chronology

Western Zhou (1045-771 BCE)
Eastern Zhou (770-256 BC)

Spring and Autumn Period, 770-453/404 BCE

Warring States Period, 452/403-221 BCE

Survival on the Steppe

Not suited to agriculture

Insufficient precipitation

Thick turf

Required socio-economic adaptation

Early Agro-Pastoral Societies

Pontic steppe is key area

Borderland regions

Near ancient agricultural societies of Near East

Pit-grave (Yamnaya) culture, Di Cosmo, p. 27

Agro-pastoral watershed, 3500-2500 BCE

Farming bases in river valleys

Copper tools

Herding on steppe

Secondary products revolution

Cattle and sheep raised for milk wool and hides

Cattle and horses provide transport

Ox carts

Horseback riding

Afansievo

Europoids

Off-shoot of Yamnaya?

Colonizers of Xinjiang oases?

Zhukaigou (Chu-k'ai-kou) culture, Di Cosmo, pp. 48-9

Inner Mongolia

Borderland region

2000-1500 BCE

Millet farming

Cattle, sheep, pig

Bronze

Shang and Inner Eurasian types

Oracle bone divination

Transportation Revolution

Chariot and horse

Andronovo invention, Di Cosmo, pp. 27-30

1500 BCE

Narrow gauge

8-12 spokes

Military values: Speed, Frees hands

Route of transmission east to Shang is unknown

Closest sites in modern Xinjiang

Appears fully formed with horse, 1200 BCE

Resembles Inner Eurasian chariots

18-26 spokes

Axle under middle of box

Chinese Chariot: Process of sociopolitical adaptation

Prestige vehicle Shang times, ca. 1200 BCE

Modern analogy: Rolls Royce

Military vehicle Zhou, 850-300 BCE

Massed chariot warfare

Modern analogy: Tank