Researches On Shang Culture In The Middle Reach Of Yangtze River

This paper takes the Shang Culture in the middle reach of Yangtze River as the study object, primarily sets up the spatial and temporal framework of the Shang culture in each region through systematic analysis on the relics in Jianghan region, the drainage area of Dongting Lake and Poyang Lake, then discusses the relationships between all the cultures in each region and the interactions among all regions. In order to discuss the interaction between the middle reach of Yangtze River and the central region of Shang Culture, this paper divides the currently available archaeological data which could reflect cultural interaction into three levels, which are artifacts, settlements, religion and technology. Through the analyses of different levels, the author recognizes different interaction pattern in different level. Based on the relationship between the middle reach of Yangtze River and the central region of Shang Culture, this paper finally discusses the political relationship between Shang Dynasty and the surrounding areas, together with the way to maintain the political order of Shang Dynasty.The main content of this dissertation can be divided into seven chapters.Chapter 1 is preface, it defines the spatial and temporal scales of this paper, reviews the earlier archaeology excavations and researches, presents the problems waiting to be solved, and introduces the study method, theory and the train of thought.Chapter 2 is the study of Shang Culture in Jianghan region. It firstly introduces the physical geography and culture background before Shang Dynasty in Jianghan region, which provides a study base for making clear the communication road for all the cultures in Jianghan region and the outside cultures during Shang Dynasty. According to the archaeology excavations by now, this paper divides the relics of Shang Dynasty in Jianghan region into 6 types, discusses the relationships between these 6 types of relics and the adjacent regions, then analyzes the bronze vessels of Shang Dynasty found in this region, finally synthesizes the culture structure and developing pattern of Shang Dynasty in Jinghan region..Chapter 3 is the study of Shang Culture in the drainage area of Dongting Lake. Firstly, it gives a brief introduce of the physical geography and culture background in the drainage area of Dongting Lake, which presents the relationship between the regional division of prehistoric culture and the physical geography in this region. Secondly, it divides the relics of Shang Dynasty in the region into 9 types, and systematic analyzes the temporal and spatial framework of all the relics. Thirdly, it discusses the regional division and culture background of the late Shang bronze vessels excavated from this region. Finally, it highlights the relationships between each culture in the drainage area of Dongting Lake and cultures in the adjacent regions, and synthesizes the culture development and its pattern in this region.Chapter 4 is the study of Shang Culture in the drainage area of Poyang Lake. Firstly, it gives a brief introduce of the physical geography and culture background in the drainage area of Poyang Lake. Secondly, it divides the relics of Shang Dynasty in this region into 8 types, and analyzes the chronology and culture attribution etc. of all the relics. Thirdly, it analyzes bronze vessels of Shang Dynasty excavated from this region, and discusses the culture background and ceremony meaning for the emergence and development of the bronze vessels found in Ganjiang valley. Finally, it points out the relationships between each culture in the drainage area of Poyang Lake and relics in the adjacent regions, and synthesizes the culture development in this region.Chapter 5 is the discussion on interactions between the middle reach of Yangtze River and the central region of Shang Culture. Based on the differences of interaction patterns in archaeology, this paper divides archaeological data which could reflect cultural interaction into three levels, which are artifacts, settlements, religion and technology. Through discussions on each level, the author presents different level lead to different interaction pattern and produce different culture influence.Chapter 6 is the discussion on the political order of Shang Dynasty represented by the interaction between Shang Dynasty and the surrounding areas, based on the relationship between the middle reach of Yangtze River and the central region of Shang Culture. Trough the analysis of the interaction relationship between the middle reach of Yangtze River and the central region of Shang Dynasty, this paper points out that Shang Dynasty take different rule measures to the middle reach of Yangtze River during different periods. This change of measure can not only be seen in the middle reach of Yangtze River, the culture structure and the widespread of bronze vessels in the surrounding areas during the time of late Shang can also reflect the important change of the relationship between Shang Dynasty and the surrounding areas. Combines with the oracle data, this paper suggests that Shang Dynasty took the measure of"direct rule"to the surrounding areas during the early Shang period, and the relationship between Shang Dynasty and the surrounding areas became more complicated during the late Shang period, which included a relationship of"alliance". The main measure to maintain this"alliance"relationship was probably a kind of ideology penetration including the reward of bronze vessels. In addition, this paper discusses the function and influence of early bronze culture in the cultural interaction between Central Plain and Southern Region.Chapter 7 is the conclusion of the former chapters, and points out the existing problems and shortcomings of this dissertation.