A Preliminary Study On Body Ornaments Of The Southwest Barbarians (Xinanyi)

According to the partition of 7 geological units (Western Guizhou, Dian Lake, Erhai Lake, Anninhe River, Yalong-Jingsha River, Dadu River-Qingyi River, Mingjiang River) and based on the plentiful archaeological data, the author made a preliminary analysis on types and assemblage of body ornaments unearthed in the areas of Southwest Barbarian and concluded that it existed differences and some common traits in several regions of this area. In the traditional historical literatures, such as Shiji, hair types distinguished different ethnic groups outside of Ba Shu. However, from the example of body ornaments unearthed, the real case was far more complex. In addition, two related questions were discussed. One was the chronology and distribution of T bracelet unearthed in this area, the other was the social meaning reflected from some special ornaments.