Erlitou culture

Coordinates: 34°42′6.33″N 112°41′49.48″E / 34.7017583°N 112.6970778°E / 34.7017583; 112.6970778

Erlitou Culture

The Erlitou culture (simplified Chinese: 二里头文化, traditional Chinese: 二里頭文化, pinyin: èrlǐtóu wénhuà) is a name given by archaeologists to an Early Bronze Age urban society that existed in China from 2000 BCE to 1500 BCE.^[1] The culture was named after the site discovered at Erlitou (二里頭村) in Yanshi, Henan Province. The culture was widely spread throughout Henan and Shanxi Province, and later appeared in Shaanxi and Hubei Province. Most Chinese archaeologists^[2] identify the Erlitou culture as the site of the Xia Dynasty, while most Western archaeologists remain unconvinced of the connection between the Erlitou culture and the Xia Dynasty since there are no extant written records linking Erlitou with the official history.

Culture

Erlitou was the largest settlement in China and even East Asia up to c 1500 BCE. Currently it is the earliest confirmed capital of China to date with palace buildings and bronze smelting workshops.^[3] For this reason it is of primary importance both in emergence of cities as a world wide phenomenon in general, the emergence of cities in the Yellow River cradle of civilization specifically, the transition between Neolithic and Bronze ages in the Far East, and the genesis of Chinese culture.

The Erlitou culture may have evolved from the matrix of Longshan culture. Originally centered around Henan and Shanxi Province, the culture later spread to Shaanxi and Hubei Province. There is a controversial connection with the disputed Xia Dyansty as Erlitou may be the Xia capital Zhēnxún. Dr. Xu Hong head of the Erlitou Archeological Team summerizes the dispute:^[4]

Was it built by people of the Xia or the Shang? Further excavation will help find the final resolution and provide new materials for periodization of the two dynasties.

Archeology

Discovered in 1959, Erlitou is the largest site associated with the Erlitou Culture. Erlitou monopolized the production of ritual bronze vessels.^{[citation needed]} After the rise of the Shang Dynasty, the site at Erlitou greatly diminished in size, but remained inhabited during the early phase of the Shang Dynasty. The city is sited on the Yi River a tributary of the Luo River. The city was approximately 2.4 km by 1.9 km; however, because of flood damage only 3 km² are left.^[5] The palaces are located in the southeast portion of the city. Palace 3 is of particular interest; it was composed of 3 courtyards along a 150 m axis.^[6]

Chronology^[7]

• Erlitou phase I (100 ha)
• Erlitou phase II (300 ha) A palace area of 12 ha was demarcated by four roads. It contained the 150x50 m Palace 3 and Palace 5. South of the palatial complex was a bronze foundry.
• Erlitou phase III (300 ha) The palatial complex is walled by a 2 m thick rammed earth wall and Palaces 1, 7, 8, 9 are built. Palace 3 and 5 are abandoned and replaced by 4200 m²Palace 2 and Palace 4.
• 1564-1521 BCE Erlitou phase IV (300 ha) Palace 6 is built as an extension of Palace 2. Palaces 10 and 11 are built.
• 1600-1450 BCE Lower Erligang phase Decline begins as.
• 1450-1300 BCE Upper Erligang phase (30 ha) Erlitou is returns to a village all the palaces are abandoned.

See also

• Erligang culture
• List of Neolithic cultures of China
• Three August Ones and Five Emperors
• Xia Dynasty
• Xia Shang Zhou Chronology Project

Notes

References

• Liu, Li (2004). The Chinese neolithic: trajectories to early states. Cambridge University Press. pp. 310. ISBN 0521811848. http://books.google.com/books?id=v58-aXz7hDYC&dq=Wangchenggang+site+Dengfeng,+Henan&source=gbs_navlinks_s. 

• http://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/chbro_bron.shtm The Golden Age of Chinese Archaeology

• Allan, Sarah, Erlitou and the Formation of Chinese Civilization: Toward a New Paradigm, The Journal of Asian Studies, 66:461-496 Cambridge University Press, 2007

• Liu, Li; Xu, Hong (2007). "Rethinking Erlitou: legend, history and Chinese archaeology". Antiquity, 81 (314): 886–901. 

• Li, Jinhui (November 10, 2003). "Stunning Capital of Xia Dynasty Unearthed". China Through a Lens. http://www1.china.org.cn/english/2003/Nov/79635.htm. Retrieved 2009-02-03. 

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