A Comparative Study On Shang, Zhou And Qin History Of The Historical Records And Unearthed Materials, With Supplementary Pictures

It took Sima Qian(司馬遷),a great historiographer while Emperor Wu(武帝) of Western Han(漢) Dynasty,a painstaking lifetime to finish the Historical Records(史記),a significant works regarded as a milestone in Chinese historical study.There was so much study on this book by scholars in the previous time,which made it a specialized knowledge.Since the oracle had been discovered in 1899,a large number of various inscriptions had been unearthed,which promoted the study of the Historical Records by providing a large amount of valuable first-hand historical data.Mainly based on unearthed inscriptions,it will research and explain Shang(商),Zhou(周) and Qin History(秦本紀) of the Historical Records in this paper which includes 4 chapters.The first chapter is an introduction,including 3 sections.In sectionⅠ,it is explained that history recorded in later books,including the Historical Records,usually mixed not only truth,but also falseness which can't be belived in all.After all,the Historical Records had preserved massive precious historical data and built a framework of pre-Qin history,which is very commendable.In addition,it is pointed that unearthed inscriptional collection and research is a fine academic tradition of Chinese since ancient times.Many kinds of unearthed materials discovered during 20th century played an influential role in pre-Qin history research.In sectionⅡ,it is summarized the outline of brief research history on the Historical Records.There is an unprecedented wonderful condition of it currently,and there is a brilliant prospect to supplement and correct the Historical Records with unearthed inscriptions.Scholars such as Wang Guowei(王國維),Yu Xingwu(于省吾),Chen Zhi(陳直) did a lot of pioneering work,despite great hardships,in comparative study.In fact,the so-called "method of double evidences"(and afterward the "method of triple evidences") is applied in the practice of the Historical Records research more and more. In sectionⅢ,it is introduced the original inspiration of this research subject,as well as the range,method,contents and form of it.The second chapter is on Shang Hiatory,and the third chapter is on Zhou Hiatory, both including 7 sections.The forth chapter is on Qin Hiatory,including 8 sections.In the main body of this 3 chapters,it is discussed the myth,origin,surname,ancesters, lineage,mumbers of the king's family,famous feudal officials,capital city ruins,states and other related historical evidence of Shang,Zhou,and Qin,mainly using the oracle, inscriptions on bronze,seals,pottery,stones,bamboo,silk and other materials.It is cited the enlightening viewpoints of the predecessor eminent scholars as proof,and elaborate personal opinion of the writer.In subtotal,it is summarized the exaggerational slandering of King Zhou(紂)'s words and deeds since Zhou(周) Dynasty,which proof once again that records on traditional ancient books should not be believed blindly and must be tested by credible evendince.It is proved that different groups with their own interests usually have diametrically opposed opinions on the same event,by summarizing the wars between Shang,Zhou(周),barbarians,Qin and Jin(晉).In the last section,it is briefly discussed the prosperity and decline rule of Shang, Zhou,and Qin,thereby summarized the whole paper,by concluding its significance, value and insufficiency.