Neolithic Cultures in China
Neolithic Cultures in ChinaType-sites:Yangshao Culture: c. 5000-2750 BCEHongshan Culture: c. 4500-2750 BCELiangzhu Culture: c. 3300-2250 BCELongshan Culture: c. 3000-1700 BCEMyths and Legends of Civilisation of China: great human beings, not god, known for technology and craftwork; Divine Farmer, Yellow Lord黄帝Absence of reliable written records, archaeology created a framework for the prehistory of ChinaChinese dynastic civilisation did not originate solely in the Yellow River basin entered on a single royal line as had previously been though, but that it was formed by a confluenceNeolithic Culture: Archeological cultures that made stone tools by grinding tor polishing- cultivated plants and domesticated animals- semi-permanent dwellings- potteryYangshao Culture 5000-2750 BCEBanpo Phase:- painted pottery- black and red designs- common motif: geometric figures, human masks, fish, and sometimes other animals- coiling technique- clay fired at relatively low temperates, earthenware, relatively soft, paint applied before or after firing- symmetric- many different functions, not sure what origin context- Image 1: human mask and fish, common motif, inverted rim- Image 3: unlike other Yangshao pottery, not patterns but realistic image, single angle for viewing, treated as a flat picture surface, might symbolise family or clan name
– Image 4: human image, features generalised, patterns unrelated with human head, late Banpo phase, innovative, combines sculpture-like form and traditional patterned vessels- Image 5: similar motifs as traditional vessels, same pit as Image 4, fish symbol, sleeker shapeMiaodigou Phase:- immediately followed Banpo- painted pottery- shape changes- smooth, flowing curves- decoration focused on the upper part, never interior- abstract patterns- Image 2Longshan Culture c. 3000-1700 BCE- east of Yangshao culture- characterised by built platforms and pounded earth walls- mostly black pottery: smooth and sleek shape, thin bodied, very technical and skilled, elegant styled, dark clay shaped on slow turntable, used bamboo cutting tools, no painting/decoration, sometimes called eggshell as walls are very thin, light-weighted, very fine clay, uniform black- continuation to bronzes- Image 6: Gui, white pottery, hollow tripod legs, maximises heating, shape continued into bronze-ware- Image 7: typical black pottery, Gu