A Study On Cemeteries In Daihai Area During The Warring States Period

The Warring States Period cemeteries in Daihai area at central-south region of Inner Mongolia form a crucial junction in history and geography of China. This thesis analyzed the chronology,cultural affiliation and social structures of the communities in Daihai area during the Warring States Period according to the Archaeology material of Maoqinggou,Yinniugo,Guoxianyaozi and Xinzhouyaozi cemeteries.By studying the evidence from typical relic,grave goods,this thesis also explored the cultures connection between the cemeteries in Daihai area and the Central Plain,as well as the interaction with culture and nature environment outside Central Plain.Chapterâ… IntroductionIn this chapter,geographical,environmental,historical,and archaeological background of the study objects was established.The purpose,methodology, and significance of the paper were explained in this chapter as well.Chapterâ…¡Maoqinggou CemeteryThe burial artifacts are re-classified and ordered.The graves were divided into three phases based on the combinational features and sequences of the artifacts.By comparing the data with those from Central Plain a conclusion is made that this cemetery was started from the early Warring States and ended in the years around Qin Dynasty.Then the cemetery is divided into five sections and seven side areas.Each of grave belonging to the seven side areas is smaller than 2m~2,while each of those belonging to five sections is bigger than 2m~2.The five sections were started around same time and arranged from north to south.Graves in each section were buried clockwise.The stratification of sections is related to the average size of their tombs and the occurrence rate of bones of livestock and weapons in their tombs.The five sections could be divided to northern area and southern area.Between these two,the differences on the orientation of tombs,style,material and color of body ornaments,and distribution of social class stratification all show a dual opposition,as well as a relationship to Central Plain.In contrast with graves buried in the five sections, those from seven side areas had lower social class and mixed features of their funerary objects.They were in lower level of the social structure in the cemetery.Base onthe study in physical anthropology,statistical analysis of demography on the deceased was conducted to build the sex structure and age structure of population.The deceased's sex and their artifacts suggest the gender role they played.Chapterâ…¢Yinniugou CemeteryClassification and seriation of the artifacts were firstly processed.By comparing the data with those from neighboring cultures,the graves were divided into three phases which started from the mid- Warring States and ended in the years between Qin and Han Dynasty.The cemetery can be divided into three sections,which were started around same time and arranged from north to south.Graves in each section were buried clockwise.Among these three,the differences on the mortuary practice and grave goods show a ternary opposition.The stratification of sections is related to the average size of their tombs and the occurrence rate of bones of livestock and coffins in their tombs.Base on the study in physical anthropology,statistical analysis of demography on the deceased was conducted to build the sex structure and age structure of population.The deceased's sex and their artifacts suggest the gender role they played and associated artifacts and mortuary practice,which can be treated as a relationship to Central Plain Region culture.Chapterâ…£Guoxianyaozi CemeteryOn the premise of the re-classification of the burial artifacts,Parallel sequence method is conducted,and the graves are divided into three phases. By comparing the data with those from Maoqinggou cemetery,a conclusion is made that this cemetery was started from the early Warring States and ended in the years around the end of the Warring States Period.Then the cemetery is divided into three sections,which were started around same time and arranged from north to south.Graves in each section were buried clockwise.Among these three,the differences on the body ornaments and weapons show a dual opposition.The stratification of sections is related to the average size of their tombs and the occurrence rate of bones of livestock in their tombs.Statistical analysis of demography on the deceased was conducted to build the sex structure and age structure of population.The deceased's sex and their artifacts suggest the gender role they played.Chapterâ…¤Xinzhouyaozi CemeteryBurial artifacts are re-classified and ordered,based on the combinational features and sequences of the artifacts.By comparing the data with those from neighboring cultures,a conclusion is made that the graves were divided into three phases and this cemetery was started from the early Warring States and ended in the years around the end of the Warring States Period.Then the cemetery is divided into four sections and five side areas.The graves in side areas belong to people under 16,and the ones in sections belong to people above 16.The four sections were started around same time and arranged from north to south.Graves in each section were buried clockwise.The stratification of sections is related to the average size of their tombs and the occurrence rate of bones of livestock and weapons in their tombs.The four sections could be divided to northern area and southern area.Between these two,the differences on the mortuary practice,grave goods,body ornaments and distribution of social class stratification all show a dual opposition.Base on the study in physical anthropology,statistical analysis of demography on the deceased was conducted to build the sex structure and age structure of population.The deceased's sex and their artifacts suggest the gender role they played.Chapterâ…¥Comparison and Induction of Four CemeteriesAfter coordinating the age,the coexistence of the four cemeteries during the Warring States Period is clear.On the premise of synchronicity,the similarity and difference of the mortuary practice,use of coffins,burial of animal bones,grave goods,cemetery patterns,stratification,economic type, racial type,sex,gender,and age structure of population were summarized.Chapterâ…¦Concerned questionsFirst,one genetic method is used to discuss the origin of some relics and grave goods in Daihai area.Metal S-shaped and square phoenix shaped plaques excavated in Daihai are similar to the jade plaques from Central Plain tracing to Western Zhou Dynasty.The plaques,no matter metal or jade,share the same decoration style in the Warring Period.According to the evidence above,a conclusion is drawn that jade was replaced by metal to make plaques in Daihai area.Decorative part on human body depends on the apparent altitude,and the noticeable belts suggest that the owners belong to a riding group.Second,cultural ecology model is used to explain the involution of the inner system and outer system of the culture represented by the cemeteries in Daihai from three perspectives,which are material,psychology and social.Chapterâ…§ConclusionAll studies from chapter two to seven are summarized here,and new points I made in the dissertation are evaluated.Based on new chronology and absolute date of the cemeteries in Daihai,a whole new formation and layout pattern of cemetery is unfolded.The complexity of the cultures along Northern Chinese frontier belt is explained in more detail and depth.The idea of the cemetery patterns and social structure is innovative.The new methods used in this thesis are also mentioned.