EAST 211 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: North China Plain, Erlitou Culture, Yellow Emperor
7 May 2017
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Characteristics of neolithic civilizations: 1. square-shaped photo writing systems, clan organization and ancestor worship, political power derived from spiritual power beginning of highly stratified societies. Cultures: yang shao culture, long shan culture ca. Myth or history: creation myths vs culture myths, there weren"t many creation myths in china, culture myth = yellow emperor, the sage rulers: yao, shun and yu. Chose the most worthy person instead of direct heir. The there dynasties: the xia-shang zhou chronology project 1996-2000, xia (????) Erlitou culture 1900-1500 bce: large scale architecture, bronze metallurgy, stratified social order, elaborate ritual, *truth is unknown, no written records; can be contested. The shang: china"s fist historical dynasty 1600-1045bce: shiji - first documents, animal bone found - rituals, food supply, north china plain; dry; yellow; dust bowls, it used to be covered with trees with animals like tigers, elephants etc. Used turtle bone to document early writing. The emperor should be there to legitimate there; talking to ancestors.
