A Brief Report on Archaeological Investigation and Prospection of Zhouwangling Mausoleum of Xianyang

【Author】 Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology, Xianyang Municipal Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology & Administrative Office of Zhouling Mausoleum

【Abstract】 Located in the north of Zhouling township in Weicheng district, Xianyang city, Shaanxi, the layout of so-called the ‘Mausoleum of the Zhou kings’ is in rectangular shape and it is oriented to the direction of 170 degrees. The Mausoleum consists of two tumulus mounds (one in the south and the other in the north), double enclosure walls and moats (including external and internal two parts), waicangkeng (storage pit outside burial chamber), architectural remains and burials of lower strata, etc. Within the neiling, or internal Mausoleum, there are a few architectural remains and waicangkeng besides the two tumulus mounds. Three clusters of burials have been found at three different locations in the area of weiling (external Mausoleum): northeast corner of external wall, northwest corners of the same wall, and the north part area between eastern external wall and external ditch. According to the cemetery form, layout characteristics and unearthed relics, we deduce that the age of this Mausoleum should be dated to the Warring States period and the occupant might be the King Qindaowu and his consort. 

【Key words】 Mausoleum of Zhou kings in Xianyang City Mausoleum Warring States period；

 

 

A Preliminary Report on the Excavation of the Qiaoling Mausoleum of Emperor Ruizong of Tang Dynasty

【Author】 Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology

【Abstract】 During 2007 and 2008, the Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology had investigated and excavated the Qiaoling Mausoleum of Emperor Ruizong (Li dan) of Tang. Explorations had been conducted to help us understand the general layout of subterranean tomb structures and the numbers, distribution patterns and structures of peizangmu (attendant tombs). Excavated areas include the southern gate of Mausoleum, the que (gate tower) to the west of southern gate, and fanqiu (the chiefs of foreigners) temple. These works add much to our knowledge about the structures and functions of architectures in Mausoleum of Tang Emperors.

【Key words】 Qiaoling Excavation of architectural site Exploration of subterranean tomb structures Exploration of attendant tombs；

 

 

New Discoveries of Two Paleolithic Loci in Shangluo and Shanyang County

【Author】 Wang Shejiang & Liu Shunmin

【Abstract】 In 2006, two Palaeolithic open-air sites were identified in Shangluo City and in Shanyang County, both of them are located in the Shangluo District of Eastern Qinling Mountains, Central Plain areas. A total of 42 lithic artifacts were directly collected from the loess-paleosoil deposits sections on the second river terrace respectively. Nine lithic artifacts which consist of 2 cores, 6 flakes, and one scraper were collected from Wangjian site in Shangluo City. The artifacts were made of quartz and igneous rock from the cobbles of local River deposits. 33 lithic artifacts, including flakes, scrapers, and chunks or flaking debris, were collected from the Juanling site in Shanyang County. The artifacts were made of quartz and cream quartzite. The assemblage of lithic artifacts from these two sites is composed of small core-retouched flake tools without any larger tools such as choppers, picks, hand-axes, cleavers, and spheroids. The loess deposits in the Wangjian and Juanling sites are located in the second river terrace, with loess and paleosoil alternations. The in-situ lithic artifacts buried in the aeolian silt loess deposits indicate that human activity lasted for hundreds of thousands years in this region. 

【Key words】 Eastern Qinling Mountains Shangluo city Shanyang county Open-air site Lithic artifacts Loess stratigraphy；

 

 

A Preliminary Report on the Excavation of Huangjiawan Paleolithic Locus

【Author】 Fang Qi, Chen Quanjia & Gao Xiaoxu

【Abstract】 During 2008 spring, the Huangjiawan Paleolithic site, located at Puzui village in Junxian town, Danjiangkou city, Hubei Province, had been excavated by Frontier Archaeology Research Centre of Jilin University. Quartz is the major raw resource of artifacts from the site. Assemblage of lithic tools includes scrapers, choppers, points, carving tools and hand-axes. Unearthed artifacts indicate that the site might have been a temporary activity location dated to the Early Palaeolithic Period. The excavation and research on this site is one major part of the South-to-North Water Diversion project and is going to serve as an important set of data for the study of Palaeolithc culture, society, subsistence, environmental changes and handaxes.

【Key words】 Artifacts Paleolithic Huangjiawan site；

 

 

New Archaeological Evidence on the Rulerships over Situ (Four Quarters) during the Early Shang Period

【Author】 Zhou Shucan

【Abstract】 Textual records and archaeological evidence both testify a fact that, during the dawn of the Early Shang Dynasty shortly after it conquered the Xia Dynasty, the political and military rulerships were particularly concerned on the regions between Zhangluo and southwestern Shanxi where the ruling house of youxia (有夏) established. The variations of Early Shang Culture indicate the differences of political strategies in different regions: in east Quarter the strategy was to align with dongyi (eastern barbarians); in south, southeast and north Quarters direct control and occupation was the major maneuvers; in west Quarter tactics were focusing on exercising powers over major traffic routes and communications among indigenous ethnic groups. The prominent role of rulerships over south, southeast and north Quarters were closely relevant to the contemporary political and military situations during the Early Shang Dynasty; while the consideration of economic purposes was not deeply concerned as the political and military intentions.

【Key words】 Early Shang Era Shang Culture Situ (Four Quarters) Rulership；

 

 

Initiative Analysis on the Ritual System of ‘Dou’ in the Eastern Zhou Period

【Author】 Zhang Wenjie

【Abstract】 Through systematically scrutinizing the writing records about ‘Dou’from Three Ritual Classics, which includes ‘dou’(豆),‘bian’(笾), and ‘deng’(登) three similar types of vessels, this article tries to generalize the ritual system of ‘Dou’ in texts. With comparison to archaeological evidence in the Eastern Zhou period, the author identifies the functions of different types of ‘Dou’, and argues that the utilization of ‘Dou’ in Central Plain District should correspond to the rules described in Zhouli (Zhou Rules); while the usage of lacquer ‘Dou’in Chu state tombs might have followed the requirements mentioned in Liji (Books of Rites). This conclusion might be significant in further understanding the composition and transmission of Three Ritual Classics. 

【Key words】 Eastern Zhou Dynasty Ritual system of ‘Dou’(豆) Three Ritual Classics；

 

 

Additional Discussion on the Topic that the Zhouwangling Mausoleum should be Dated to Warring States Periods

【Author】 Jiao Nanfeng,Yang Wuzhan,Cao Long & Wang Dong

【Abstract】 By combining the latest archaeological exploration data, this article is trying to argue that the so-called Zhouwang Ling (the Imperial Mausoleum of Zhou Dynasty) is actually the Mausoleum of Qin Kings during the Warring States Period. Most probably, they are Yong Ling of Dao wuwang of Qin.

【Key words】 Imperial Mausoleum of Zhou Dynasty New archaeological data Additional remarks to the Warring States viewpoint；

 

 

On the Origin of Architectural Material Chiwei

【Author】 Feng Shuangyuan

【Abstract】 Based on previous studies and archaeological findings, the paper proposes that chiwei might have emerged during the Late Han Dynasty in the Central Plain areas. As opposed to archaeological evidence, the historical value of relevant texts cited in Hanji (汉纪), Suishu (The Book of Sui), and Yingzaofashi (The State Building Standards), should be doubted considerably. 

【Key words】 Chiwei (Ornamental roof-ridge tile) Origin Late Eastern Han Dynasty Central Plain Region；

 

 

Textual Explanation on the ‘Furen’ (Madam) Seals Unearthed from Nanyue Kingdom

【Author】 Bai Fang

【Abstract】 This paper proposes that the social status of the owners of ‘furen’seals in the Nanyue kingdom might be equivalent to those aristocrats with ‘furen’ title during the Qin and Han Dynasty. The case that four ‘furen’seals discovered from the Emperor’s mausoleum of the Nanyue Kingdom coincidentally matches with the ideal concept of ‘yi hou si furen’ (one empress and four concubines) promoted by Dong Zhongshu, a significant Confucianist during the Western Han period, might have implied that the ritual systems of the Qin and Han dynasty were emphasized and imitated by the rulers of the Nanyue Kingdom.

【Key words】 Nanyue Kingdom ‘Furen’ Seal Appellation Social status；

 

 

On the Historical Issues Reflected by the Immigrants’ Burials in the Northern Frontier during Han Dynasty

【Author】 Du Linyuan

【Abstract】 The Han Dynasty was an important period in terms of the formation of frontiers, regional development, and assimilation of different ethnic groups in the northern regions. The historical fact that different types of immigrants both contributed a lot to such achievements has been demonstrated by a large amount of immigrants’ burials dating to the Han Dynasty. Nevertheless, regional variations that existed in the northern frontiers were reflected on two aspects: the amounts and the regional characteristics of immigrants’ burials. These patterns represented that population movements were oriented to different major regions and a mosaic pattern of immigrants’ origins existed in each sub-region. Moreover, such patterns indicate that geographical environment and economic patterns still dominated the distribution of archaeological cultures in the Han Dynasty.

【Key words】 Han Dynasty Northern frontiers Immigrants’ tombs；

 

 

Yang Ma Cheng City and Yi Zi Cheng City

【Author】 Sun Hua

【Abstract】 Yang Ma Cheng was widely used as an external defense facility of cities in Tang and Song Dynasties in ancient China. It was typically built with rammed earth wall (sometimes with timber or bamboo), slightly taller than a person, and located between the trench and main city wall. This city defense facility was originated in Zhan Guo period, developed in Southern and Northern Dynasties, matured in Tang Dynasty, popular in Song Dynasty,and gradually vanished after the apperance of firearm in Yuan Dynasty. On the other hand, Yi Zi Cheng was constructed to strengthen the city defense along rivers, cut the mobility of enemy troops, and aviod being surrounded by the enemy. It was consisted of one or two circles of city walls between the city and rivers. This type of Yi Zi Cheng was mainly seen in southern China during Song and Yuan Dynasties and also used in the north in Ming Dynasty. It almost disappearced afterwards.

【Key words】 City Military Yang Ma Cheng Yi Zi Cheng；

 

 

Preliminary Discussion on Khitan People’s "Kunfa" Hairstyle in the Liao Dynasty

【Author】 Li Meng

【Abstract】 Kunfa is a Chinese term referring to certain kinds of hairstyles characterized by shaving-off parts of hair while leaving other parts. Much information related to Khitan (qidan) people’s Kunfa hairstyle can be identified in the archaeological materials of the Liao Dynasty, especially in mural paintings from burial chambers. This paper attempts to categorize Kunfa based on two standards: 1) which part of hair was shaved-off and 2) how large this part was shaved-off. Then the categories are going to be juxtaposed with the chronology of burial data in order to generalize the basic development of Kunfa hairstyles. The research demonstrates that various types of Kunfa were inherently related and could be further arranged in their chronological order. The basic characteristics of Kunfa were solidified around the coronation of Emperor Shengzong of Liao (Yelv Longxu) and became distinctive with the diagnostic of "tuo qi liang mao" (long hair falling down from both sides of temples) 

【Key words】 Khitan Kunfa Chronology Characteristic Style；

 

 

Cases Study of Contextual Analysis in Chinese Archaeology

【Author】 Xu Yongjie

【Abstract】 In Chinese archaeology, studies under the framework of contextual analysis have emerged since the late 1960’s. This self-willed trend in academic progress had been developed in a situation isolated from foreign academy. During the early 21st century, it has finally taken shape and credits should go to two generation archaeologists’ endeavors in exploration and research. This paper attempts to summarize the theoretical issues in this trend through four typical case-studies and provide some reflections beneficial to the consciousness and introspection of theoretical study in Chinese archaeology. 

【Key words】 Chinese archaeology Contextual analysis；

 

 

Initiative Discussion on the Relationship Between the Dedicators of Bronze Jihuanmu Dou and Shiyu Bell and their Surnames

【Author】 Geng Chao

【Abstract】 Jihuanmu dou was initially documented and published on Kaogutu (考古图) during the Northern Song Dynasty. Shiyu bell was unearthed from Fufeng county, Shaanxi Province, in 1992. Based on the inscriptions on Shiyu bell and related information, this article suggests a more appropriate transcription of inscriptions on Jihuanmu dou and dates this piece of vessel and Shiyu bell to the Late Western Zhou Period. Furthermore, the analysis of the change of females’ status, which was related to sacrificial activities in lineages during the threshold of marriage, indicates that ‘zukao’(祖考) mentioned in both pieces should be referred to an ancestor of Shiyu. Besides, Shiyu and Jihuanmu should have been an couple and the former might have been an aristocrat with an non-‘ji’(姬) clan-name living in Zhouyuan district. 

【Key words】 Jihuanmu Shiyu Status in sacrificial rituals Spouse relations；

 

 

Rediscussion on Newly Discovered Bronze Container‘He’(■) Gui

【Author】 Huang Guohui

【Abstract】 ‘He’gui, a recently discovered bronze vessel, mentions several historical events happened during the second year of ‘zhougong dongzheng’(Eastward conquest by the Duke of Zhou). The term ‘sanzu’ in inscriptions means three lineages which were maintaining kinship relations with ‘he’. Besides, the author proposes that ‘wei he shi’ represents ‘he’ was authorized as ‘zhongzi’(the first son of primary line) by the Duke of Zhou. 

【Key words】 ‘He’(■)； gui； dating； ‘Sanzu’(三族)； ‘Wei； he； shi’(为室)；

 

 

Scientific Analyses and Research on the Glass Beads from the Xiaoling Mausoleum of Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou Dynasty

【Author】 Cheng Qian & Zhang Jianlin

【Abstract】 From the Xiao Mausoleum of Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou, dating to 582 AD, located in Xianyang city of Shannxi Province, several pieces of glass beads have been discovered archaeologically. 11 of them have been analyzed by ICP-AES and SEM-EDX in order to understand their chemical composition. According to the results, all analyzed samples are soda-lime-silica glasses and demonstrating characteristics similar to the data of western glass. Specifically, 8 of them, including the yellow, blue and purple beads, are close to the Sasanian glass chemically, and the rest of 3 colorless beads are natron glasses similar to the high-Al glass from India. Furthermore, the paper discusses and identifies the colorants and opacifying agents of these glass beads individually. Finally, reasons for the deterioration of the yellow glass beads have been explored by the results of SEM-EDX.

【Key words】 Glass ICP-AES Colorant Opacifying agent Deterioration；