Anthro 1210 - Chinese Archaeology: Neolithic to Qin
Dr. Chengrui Zhang
T Th 1:30-2:45pm
Description:
What are the origins of Chinese civilization? What was society like before the development of the large states that would eventually merge to form the Chinese empire over 2000 years ago, essentially forming the basis of modern China? How does this process of development compare with other early civilizations? This course surveys the archaeology of China from the Neolithic up to the Qin Empire, with an emphasis on great transitions in human history. The course will focus both on specific, detailed discussions of some of the most important archaeological finds from China, as well as more general discussions of various anthropological themes as they relate to data from early Chinese contexts and emerging complex society. The lectures are generally organized in chronological order, starting with the Neolithic and subsequently focusing on the Bronze Age. We end by considering the period when China was unified by the Qin Empire in 221 BC. The main focus is on understanding how we can reconstruct various aspects of ancient Chinese society using archaeological evidence. Important themes covered in the course include the origins of agriculture, early urbanism and settlement patterns, changes in burial practices and religion, ritual, writing, and production, the development of complex society, and the process of political unification. The course will provide students with a basic understanding of these topics in relation to early China. Occasional discussions will review the lecture material and focus on clarifying, deconstructing and debating topics in Chinese archaeology about which there is little consensus. Students will develop a thorough familiarity with Chinese archaeological sites and cultures over the course of this term and also explore the way that Chinese archaeology relates to general issues in anthropological archaeology. Students of any level, from first-year undergraduates to graduate students, are welcome.