Research On Belthooks Excavated From Zuotou Graves In Fanshi And Some Concerned Issues

Zuotou Graves in Fanshi were disentombed in 2004 and unearthed 102 graves with 105 funerary objects, including 41 belthooks. Moreover, belthooks were excavated only from 23 graves, which is characteristic.Belthook is the tool used to bond and compound in the ancient China. It was discovered in the late Xi Zhou, came on to in the period of Spring and Autumn and the Warring States, popularized in Qin-han and generally declined in Weijin period.This thesis shall, in four parts, discuss belthooks excavated from Zuotou Graves in Fanshi and some concerned issues by mainly using comparative research method, and then draw my own conclusion.The first part mainly introduces the Zuotou Graves. Here the graves situation has not been presented in a simply enumerative way, but on the basis of excavated instance of belthooks, the graves with funerary objects are divided into 3 classes: the Graves with belthooks as only funerary objects, the Graves with belthooks included in funerary objects and the Graves without belthooks as funerary objects. This effort offers convenience to the further research on belthooks.The second part divides 41 belthooks excavated from Fanshi Graves into 4 classes: lute type, waterfowl type, brace type, and animal type. Then describe the belthooks data in virtue of pictures. Finally introduce these belthooks in a list according to the graves masters' gender, place of hook button, and position of belthooks excavated in graves.The third part is the core of this thesis. Firstly list 56 graves with excavated belthooks during the period of Spring and Autumn and the Warring States, and introduce type, size and quantity of the belthooks excavated in these graves. Then by choosing 12 graves with masses of belthooks excavated, make comparisons in aspects of type, veins and significance in funerary objects. Finally make a summary on the relationships between Zuotou Graves with their belthooks and these graves.The fourth part is the conclusion basing on comparisons in the previous part. Divide these 13 graves into four different area coverages, and indicate that Zuotou Graves with their belthooks belong to Sanjin culture area coverage. Then on the basis of belthook pottery model in Zhutong Site of Houma, spread route of Sanjin belthooks is educed. Afterwards, according to 2 Graves in Zhongyang Quanxi village of Lincheng and Helinger that are the images of Zuotou Graves, the conclusion is drawn that there was a funerary custom with belthooks as central funerary objects in Zhao during the period of the Warring States. Furthermore, these funerary custom areas are named as belthook culture area. Finally, considering the literature and plain style of belthooks in Zuotou, this author audaciously presumes the status of Zuotou Graves Masters in Fanshi.