Central Plain Area In The Mid-bronze Ritual Studies

The Middle—Shang Period is a reform time in the history, the culture of the bronze sacrifice vessels of the central plains area influences the religion and the sacrifice ceremony of Chinese nation very deeply. While at the same time, the sacrifice culture of the central plains area play an critical part in formation of the early states, the organizing pattern of society, and the reformation of the mode of production. Therefore, the study of the bronze sacrifice vessels of the Middle—Shang Period is a key to the sacrifice culture of Shang Period.From the found of China, hundreds of the bronze sacrifice vessels of the Middle—Shang Period were unearthed all over the country, with richful patterns. It is an important project of studying the bronze sacrifice vessels of Shang Period that how to make use of the materials of the bronze sacrifice vessels to build the chronological frame of that time, and then make a further study of the bronze sacrifice ceremony and the bronze memorial ceremony for dead people of the Middle—Shang Period. The thesis is formed of four parts, based on the study of the type, chronology, development, composing, pattern, the feature of that time, and so on, what's more, it pays great attention to the volume, technology, composing relationship, new types and new shapes of the bronze sacrifice vessels that unearthed in the hoard of bronze and graves, then, to discuss the sacrifice law of the bronze sacrifice vessels in central plains area of the Middle—Shang Period.The first part, introduction. To make a brief introduction from the definition of the thesis's notion of space—time and sacrifice, and the situation, meanings, purpose, method of the study.The second part, the analyse of the bronze sacrifice vessels of the central plains area in the Middle—Shang Period. This part composed by three branches. First is the introduction of materials, divides the bronze sacrifice vessels unearthed in Middle—Shang Period into three types, the hoard of bronze, the graves, and something else through the excavation place. Second is the analyse of these bronze sacrifice vessels which unearthed in the central plains area (some one handed down from ancient times and those without exact unearthed place are provided for reference though they can be determined in the Middle—Shang Period). The third part is to divide the bronze sacrifice vessels of central plains area into different stages; To make a conjecture of the absolute year; To discuss its different stages.The third part, the analyse of the sacrifice ceremony of the central plains area in the Middle—Shang Period. This part formed by four branches. First is the influence of new types. According to the pottery unearthed in sites of the central plains area in the Middle—Shang Period, to find out which ones were copied by the bronze sacrifice vessels, and the order of coping process. Second is the sacrifice ceremony of the bronze sacrifice vessels unearthed from the hoard of bronze. To make a contrast of these bronze sacrifice vessels. Through the contrast of the bronze sacrifice vessels unearthed between the middle—sized and small—sized graves in early stage of the Middle—Shang Period; The contrast among the bronze sacrifice vessels unearthed in the Middle—Shang Period graves in early and later stage; The contrast among the bronze sacrifice vessels unearthed in small—sized graves, to determine the features of memorial ceremony for dead people. Forth is the relationship between different composing. The characteristics and the mutual affection of the culture of sacrifice ceremony and the culture of memorial ceremony for dead people.The forth part, is the summary. To summarize ideas discuss above, and make a conclusion.According to the systematic analyse of the bronze sacrifice vessels in the Middle—Shang Period, we determined that the Middle—Shang Period of central plains area is a very important time for the development of the sacrifice culture. Great changes happened in types, patterns, inscriptions, technology, composing, and the copied bronze sacrifice vessels of pottery ones. At the same time, the main vessels of the sacrifice culture is the food vessels, and some alcohol and water vessels, while main vessels of the culture of the bronze memorial ceremony for dead people are the alcohol and water vessels, and some food vessels. So we think that the bronze sacrifice ceremony is a kind of ceremony that the volume change of individual object, the combination of technology, music, dancing to control the ceremony, and reach the top of the ceremony; The bronze memorial ceremony for dead people in order to reach the top of the ceremony by the combination of music, dress, increased numbers, and changeable composing.In a word, in the Middle-Shang Period, the increased types of bronze sacrifice vessels, the appearance of new types, the enlarge of the volume, the beautiful patterns, and so on, all are the bright light or the reason why the process of the sacrifice ceremony and the memorial ceremony for dead people are so complicated.