Research On Laoguanmiao Lower-layer Culture

Since the discovery and confirmation of Laoguanmiao lowerlayer Culture in the 90's of 20 century, some vitally important researches have been made. However, some issues about the stage, distribution and the origin and the evolution of this culture still need to be further studied. In this article, based on the existing material and previous research results, these issues have been extensively studied.This article is consisted by six parts.1.< Preface >.The research and discovery history of Laoguanmiao lowerlayer Culture have been recalled in detail. According to the different emphasis in every period of research, two different kind of stages have been set up, in which one is the stage of discovery and confirmation and the second one is the comprehensive study. The time and space of this culture has been defined and its cultural connotation has been clarified. The remains of Shaopengzui limited in the Period 1 of the Stage 1 in 1997and the remains of Yuxiping limited in the stage from 1 to 3, which previously belong to Laoguanmiao lowerlayer Culture, but now, are classified to the earlier Yuxiping Culture. While the Weijialiangzi site, Suolong site, Tiaoshi site, or Beishi site can be thought as a kind of relics alone.2.. Based on the studes in the evolution of typical relics and pottery, the Laoguanmiao lowerlayer Culture has been divided into four stages of time and five periods, and the first stage can be divided into early and late period, respectively.Also based on the emergence of welted vessels and the gradual disappearance of dish-mouth vessels , this culture can be divided into two stages. The first two periods are the early stage, and the later two period are the late stage.3. . In the relative age, through the two studies in the layers and cultural relations, it is suggested that the upper age limit of this Culture should be later than the age of Yuxiping Culture. And the investigations in the lower age limit suggest that the year for Laoguanmiao 95M1 in the fourth stage of Laoguanmiao lowerlayer culture should be confirmed to the late age of Longshan culture, and base on the the radio carbon dates the relics in this fourth stage should be extended into the late age of Longshan, but not later than the late age of Longshan culture. According to the age-dating data of Zhongba site, the absolute age of this culture has been proposed basically. The early period in the first stage is 5100~5000 B.P, the late period in the first stage is 5000~4800 B.P, the second stage is 4800~4500 B.P., the third stage is 4500~4200 B.P., and the fourth stage is 4200~4000 B.P.4. . Through the investigation of Laoguanmiao lowerlayer Culture, this paper argues that this culture is the major extension of its predecessor - Yuxiping culture. In such extention, new artifacts like Jar vessels with plastic design on the rim appeared. And this culture also is influenced by the Maiping relics, the Baodun Culture and the Shijiahe Culture. The Maping relics have more influence on this culture than others, which have changed its combinations of different artifacts. At present time, the flow of this culture is not clear, which should be suggested to find in the Xia stage of the Sanxingdui culture.5. .According to the stage division of the Laoguanmiao Lower-layer culuter, the distribution characteristics have been summarized, and the reason for such distribution has also been explained. In the earliest stage of Laoguanmiao Lower-layer Culture, the presence of the relics in Shaopengzui sites should result from the natural evolution. The foreign policy in the second stage should be composed with the explanation and diffusion of this culture. In the third stage, limited discoveries in the Zhongba site should be associated with its position in the branch of Yangzi River, and t the impact by external cultures was limited in some extent. The relics in the fourth stage of Laoguanmiao Lower-layer Culture can be discovered in Daxi site, which should be ascribed to two reasons. The first one is that Laoguanmiao Lower-layer Culuture had a east-forward movement and the second one is that the culture influence from the middle stream of Yangzi Rive are found to be limited. Furthermore, the different cultural appearance between Laoguanmiao sites and Zhongba sites can be divided into two local types, i.e., Zhongba and Laoguanmiao.6. Conclusion A main conclusion has been made and the inadequacies in this article have also been pointed out.