THE MORTUARY ART AND ARCHITECTURE OF EARLY IMPERIAL CHINA (VOLUMES I AND II)

Tombs of the Ch'in (221-206 B.C.) and (206 B.C.-A.D. 220) have been a major focus of Chinese archaeology. This study is a preliminary survey and interpretation of the copious archaeological literature, primarily excavation reports from Chinese journals.;To understand Ch'in-Han burials, it is necessary to identify the roots of burial customs in China (ch. I) during the neolithic and early historic periods. The complex Shang tradition (especially the evidence from An-yang) is described as the foundation for burials in ancient China. The late Chou precedents for burials of the early imperial era (ch. II) are catalogued both for North China and for the south, where Ch'u remains offer important evidence. Innovations which altered the received tradition, including burial mounds, more sophisticated structures, surrogate vessels and figurines, are considered. Early Han burials (those before ca. 140 B.C.) from the Ch'u territory are seen as a final flowering of this regional culture which made important contributions to later developments.;Trends of the Ch'in and early Han (ch. III) are described for three areas: the imperial tombs, notably those of the First Ch'in Emperor and Han Wu-ti, the hollow brick tombs of Honan, and graves of the Nan-Yueh Kingdom of modern-day Canton. While the Ch'in imperial model established the standard of burial followed by the Han sovereigns, the Honan and Canton tombs, like the early Han period Ch'u examples, were local manifestations and further developments of late Chou traditions.;Structural developments during the middle Han period (ca. 140 B.C.-A.D. 100) revolutionized the character of burials and mark a fundamental break with the traditions of ancient times (ch. IV). The development of brick chamber vaulted structures, which rapidly became the standard type for most of China Proper, is interpreted as the result of new customs such as joint burials and sacrifices within the tomb. Increasing uniformity in tomb furnishings also characterized the middle Han period (ch. V). The further development of coffins, burial jades, figurines, model granaries and stoves, and surrogate sacrificial vessels spread a new, virtually canonical tradition. At the same time, regional styles were expressed in the rendering of many grave goods. The initial appearance of programmatic tomb decoration and monumental stone sculpture is also assessed.;The manifold developments of the middle Han period may be interpreted as the foundation for burials of the imperial era (Conclusion). The value of tomb art for art historical inquiry is considered in the light of the historical development of the mortuary arts.