Collection of Ancient Chinese Cultural Relics, Volume 4

Collection of Ancient Chinese Cultural Relics, Volume 4
Author:
Publisher: ATF Press
Total Pages: 327
Release: 2020-02-03
Genre: Art
ISBN: 1925371417

A collection of ancient Chinese Cultural Relics from the period of the Three Kingdoms, Western and Eastern Jin Dynasties and Southern and Northern Dynasties, 220 to 589. It covers jade and bronze ware, gold and silver ware, porcelain, painting, calligraphy, stone carving, and handicrafts. The books covers jade and bronze ware, gold and silver ware, porcelain, painting, calligraphy, stone carving and handicrafts from the period of the Three Kingdoms, Western and Eastern Jin Dynasties and the Southern and Northern Dynasties, 220 to 589. Unified ancient China during the Qin and Han Dynasties ended with political division into the Three Kingdoms of the three states of Wei, Shu and Wu. Subsequent centuries witnessed frequent shifts in power, including the Western and Eastern Jin Dynasties of the Song, Qi, Liang and Chen, and Northern Dynasties of Northern Wi, Eastern Wi, Western Wei, Northern Qi and Northern Zhou. National reunification was finally achieved again in 589 when the Sui Dynasty overthrew the state of Chen. The break-up of the nation amid social unrest resulted in economic stagnation, greatly affecting the development of the jade manufacturing sector, having a direct contact with rituals and funerals. Changes in ideology and culture also led to people developing different ideas on the use of jades. Certainly, the development of Chinese jade reached its nadir during the period from the Wei and Jin to Southern and Northern Dynasties. The bronze ware that enjoyed a vogue from the Shang Dynasty also declined in popularity and usage. From the variety of art works to their style characteristics, hey basically continued the traditions of the Han Dynasty, but were rather poorly made compared with those produced during the Han period. National integration, however, led the people of various ethnic groups to learn from each other and helped form some common cultural characteristics. This can be found through the casting of bronze ware. Moreover, some bronze vessels also reflect the unique customs of certain ethnic groups to some extent. This book, the fourth in a ten-volume collection, brings to the English-speaking world a series of books from China which has been complied by an Expert Committee of the Chinese Society of Cultural Relics. There are 367 descriptions.

Development History Of Ancient Chinese Glass Technology

Development History Of Ancient Chinese Glass Technology
Author:
Publisher: World Scientific
Total Pages: 818
Release: 2021-02-04
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9811229783

Worldwide research on ancient glass began in the early 20th century. A consensus has been reached in the community of Archaeology that the first manmade or synthetic glasses, based on archaeological findings, originated in the Middle East during the 5000-3000's BC. By contrast, the manufacturing technology of pottery and ceramics were well developed in ancient China. The earliest pottery and ceramics dates back to the Shang Dynasty - the Zhou Dynasty (1700 BC-770 BC), while the earliest ancient glass artifacts unearthed in China dates back to the Western Han Dynasty. Utilizing the state-of-the art analytical and spectroscopic methods, the recent findings demonstrate that China had already developed its own glassmaking technology at latest since 200 BC. There are two schools of viewpoint on the origin of ancient Chinese glass. The more common one believes that ancient Chinese glass originated from the import of glassmaking technology from the West as a result of Sino-West trade exchanges in the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-25 AD). The other scientifically demonstrates that homemade ancient Chinese glass with unique domestic formula containing both PbO and BaO were made as early as in the Pre-Qin Period or even the Warring States Period (770 BC-221 BC), known as Yousha or Faience.This English version of the previously published Chinese book entitled Development History of Ancient Chinese Glass Technology is for universities and research institutes where various research and educational activities of ancient glass and history are conducted. With 18 chapters, the scope of this book covers very detailed information on scientifically based findings of ancient Chinese glass development and imports and influence of foreign glass products as well as influence of the foreign glass manufacturing processes through the trade exchanges along the Silk Road(s).

Archaeological Research on the Societies of Late Prehistoric Xinjiang, Vol 2

Archaeological Research on the Societies of Late Prehistoric Xinjiang, Vol 2
Author: Guo Wu
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 334
Release: 2022-11-23
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 9811968896

This book presents cutting-edge archaeological materials from Xinjiang, from the Bronze Age to the early Iron Age. Through a systematic topological study of major archaeological cemeteries and sites, it establishes chronologies and cultural sequences for three main regions in Xinjiang, namely the circum-Eastern Tianshan region, the circum-Dzungarian Basin region and the circum-Tarim Basin region. It also discusses the origins and local variants of prehistoric archaeological cultures in these regions and the mutual relationships between them and neighboring cultures. By doing so, the book offers a panoramic view of the socio-cultural changes that took place in prehistoric Xinjiang from pastoral-agricultural societies to the mobile nomadic-pastoralist states in the steppe regions and the agricultural states of the oasis, making it a must-read for researchers and general readers who are interested in the archaeology of Xinjiang.

The Origin and Evolution of China's Names I

The Origin and Evolution of China's Names I
Author: HU A-Xiang
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Total Pages: 265
Release: 2024-10-29
Genre: History
ISBN: 1040120903

This is the first volume of a two-volume set on the names of China, focusing on the country's official titles throughout history. Using interdisciplinary approaches from fields such as history, geography, ethnic studies, linguistics, psychology and toponymy, this two-volume set examines the origin and evolution of China's names over more than 4,000 years of history. The first volume examines the official names of the country given by the rulers or government, including the names of the imperial dynasties, from the earliest Xia to the last Qing, and the title of the Republic of China, which symbolises a new era in national naming. The author examines the common features as well as the cultural contexts and historical traditions that underlie these diverse titles. The origins and meanings of national titles, their secondary connotations, evolving understandings and related implications are explored. The book also analyses the lifespan and spatial references of these national titles. This book will appeal to both academic and general readers interested in Chinese history, Chinese historical geography and Chinese toponymy.

All About Chinese Culture

All About Chinese Culture
Author: The Chinese Academy of History
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 338
Release: 2023-08-28
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 9819934516

This book invites senior experts and scholars from the fields of Chinese archaeology and history to describe ten influential “national treasure-level” cultural antiquities. Spanning from the Neolithic Age to modernity and with content ranging from the origin of civilizations to the red cultural relics, the book covers cultural antiquities, including: the Clay Figurine, the Painted Pottery Plate with Coiling Long Pattern (from the Neolithic Period), the Turquoise-inlaid and Long-shaped Bronze Object (of the Xia Dynasty), the Ivory Goblet Inlaid with Turquoise (of the Shang Dynasty), the He Zun (Ritual Wine Vessel), the Ox-shaped Zun (Wine Vessel), the Arm Protector with Animal and Clouds (and embroidered with the Chinese characters meaning “five stars appear in the East, which is a sign of Chinese victory over the Qiang”), the Beast-head-shaped Agate Cup (of the Tang Dynasty), the Imperial Gilt Gold Mesh Crown with Two Upright Wings (of the Ming Dynasty), etc. The text features not only scientific rigor but is also enjoyable to read and thought-provoking.

The Metal Road of the Eastern Eurasian Steppe

The Metal Road of the Eastern Eurasian Steppe
Author: Jianhua Yang
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 634
Release: 2020-01-03
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 9813291559

This book is one of the first to systematically explore cultural interactions between the Northern Zone of China and the Eurasian Steppe, with a focus on the formation process of the Xiongnu Confederation and the Silk Road. Combining partition and staging analyses, the authors adopt a broad perspective, viewing the Northern Zone as part of the Eurasian Steppe and combining history with culture by investigating the spread of bronze artifacts. In addition, with more than three hundred figures and color photographs, it offers readers a uniquely grand panorama of two thousand years of cultural interactions between the Northern Zone of China and the Eurasian Steppe.

The Circulation of Astronomical Knowledge in the Ancient World

The Circulation of Astronomical Knowledge in the Ancient World
Author:
Publisher: BRILL
Total Pages: 595
Release: 2016-04-18
Genre: History
ISBN: 9004315632

Astronomical and astrological knowledge circulated in many ways in the ancient world: in the form of written texts and through oral communication; by the conscious assimilation of sought-after knowledge and the unconscious absorption of ideas to which scholars were exposed. The Circulation of Astronomical Knowledge in the Ancient World explores the ways in which astronomical knowledge circulated between different communities of scholars over time and space, and what was done with that knowledge when it was received. Examples are discussed from Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Greco-Roman world, India, and China.

Archaeological Research on the Societies of Late Prehistoric Xinjiang, Vol 1

Archaeological Research on the Societies of Late Prehistoric Xinjiang, Vol 1
Author: Guo Wu
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 212
Release: 2022-11-16
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 9811922691

This book presents cutting-edge archaeological materials from Xinjiang, from the Bronze Age to the early Iron Age. Through a systematic topological study of major archaeological cemeteries and sites, it establishes chronologies and cultural sequences for three main regions in Xinjiang, namely the circum-Eastern Tianshan region, the circum-Dzungarian Basin region and the circum-Tarim Basin region. It also discusses the origins and local variants of prehistoric archaeological cultures in these regions and the mutual relationships between them and neighboring cultures. By doing so, the book offers a panoramic view of the socio-cultural changes that took place in prehistoric Xinjiang from pastoral-agricultural societies to the mobile nomadic-pastoralist states in the steppe regions and the agricultural states of the oasis, making it a must-read for researchers and general readers who are interested in the archaeology of Xinjiang.

Chinese Archery Studies

Chinese Archery Studies
Author: Hing Chao
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 363
Release: 2023-04-11
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 9811683212

This book, the first research publication on China’s archery culture to appear in the English language, introduces the historic development, key concepts, and research methodologies for archery studies. Archery was the most important weapon of war in pre-modern China; at the same time, archery practice was intimately tied to Confucius’ cultural and pedagogic ideals. Chinese archery was divided into the domains of military archery (wushe) and ritual archery (lishe), and may be further distinguished into han (Chinese) and hu (barbarian) archery traditions. Bringing together the leading scholars in this field, including Ma Mingda, Stephen Selby, Ma Lianzhen, Peter Dekker, and others, this book presents the most comprehensive statement on archery studies to date. In particular, it provides an in-depth survey of archery development during the Qing period and offers a unique cultural perspective to understanding China’s last imperial dynasty—through the lens of Manchu archery.