The Research On Xiyin Culture

Xiyin culture is an important archaeological culture of the middle Yangshao period,represented by the heavy-lipped,pointed-bottom vases and curved-bellied painted earthenware pots in Shanxi,Shanxi and Henan areas.The south of Shanxi province is the birthplace of Xiyin culture and also the region where Xiyin culture has evolved most completely.A large number of Xiyin culture sites excavated in recent years have provided abundant materials for the re-periodization and origin and development of Xiyin culture.This paper discusses the relative age and nature of the Xiyin culture in the southern Shanxi region,starting from typical sites in the Yuncheng and Linfen basins.The exposition of this thesis is divided into four main parts.Chapter 1: IntroductionAn overview of the reasons for writing this thesis,clarifying the temporal and spatial scope of the object of study and the main materials.In a comprehensive review of the discovery and research process of the Xiyin culture,we find that the newly published materials in the south of Shanxi province in recent years are sufficient to study the development and origin of the Xiyin culture in the south of Shanxi province.Chapter 2: Periodization of the Xiyin Culture in the Yuncheng BasinThe author clarifies the face of the Xiyin culture in the Yuncheng Basin by conducting a stratigraphic study of typical sites such as Yuanqu Shangbo(垣曲上亳)site,Yuanqu Miaopu(垣曲苗圃)site,Xiaxian Xiyin(夏县西阴)site,Yuanqu Xiaozhao(垣曲小赵)site,Ruicheng Dongzhuangcun(芮城东庄村)site,Hejin Guzhen(河津固镇)site,Ruicheng Taohuajian(芮城桃花涧).Chapter 3: Periodization of the Xiyin Culture in the Linfen BasinThe author has clarified the appearance of the Xiyin culture in the Linfen Basin through the stratigraphic study of typical sites such as Yicheng Beigan(翼城北橄)site,Jixian Mujiazui(吉县穆家咀)site.Chapter 4: Periodization and origin and development of the Xiyin culture in the southern Shanxi regionThrough the periodization of the Xiyin culture in the Yuncheng basin and the Linfen basin established above,the author divides the Xiyin culture in the south of Shanxi province into three phases and six sections under the comparison of pottery from both,outlining the developmental evolutionary features of typical pottery.The upper limit of the Xiyin culture in the south of Shanxi province is no earlier than the third stage of the Dongzhuang type and the lower limit is no later than the early middle culture of Xiwangcun,and the absolute date is BC3700-BC3100 with the help of carbon dating data from the Nanjiaokou(南交口)site.And it is believed that it originated from the Dongzhuang type in the south of Shanxi province,evolved into the late Yangshao remains in the southern Shanxi region.In the process of development,it continuously penetrated and conquered the surrounding archaeological cultures.