EARLY BRONZE INSCRIPTIONS OF QI

Abstract: Scholars focused on the study of late bronze inscriptions of Qi, neglected the earlier ones dated from late Shang dynasty to the end of Western Zhou dynasty. A few studies had put the topic on table, however, there are uncertainties behind their discussions, which discredited the studies. We collected 36 early bronzes with 41 inscriptions of Qi. Through deciphering each inscription and judging the casting period of each bronze, the regional characteristics of Qi bronzes and writings were notably shown since the end of Western Zhou dynasty. We have also investigated on the Mang( ) bronzes and Yin(引) bronzes newly discovered in M18 and M35 at Gaoqing Chenzhuang, Shandong. Pang was the crown prince of Duke Qi Ding; Yin was a general of Qi force, who received King Xuan’s order to fight with the intruder. Studies on early bronze inscriptions of Qi could supplement its early history.

Keywords:  Qi  bronze  inscriptions  Gaoqing Chenzhuang