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None Of The Preliminary Study Of The Phenomenon Of The Western Zhou Cemetery Level

Posted on:2011-09-05Degree:MasterType:Thesis
Country:ChinaCandidate:S LeiFull Text:PDF
GTID:2205360305959294Subject:Archaeology and Museology
Abstract/Summary:PDF Full Text Request
The Central Shaanxi Area was once within the territory of Western Zhou Dynasty and has witnessed hundreds of thousands of discoveries of tombs from the pre-Zhou dynasty to the Western Zhou dynasty. The graves, which are distributed in different relics are diversified in sizes and plentifulness of funeral objects, showcasing different hierarchies of social structures in Western Zhou Dynasty. But owing to the lack of understanding, attention is more focused on rituals reflected by tombs and the funeral objects in the past rather than on in-depth discussion of hierarchy phenomenon embodied in the graveyards.Based on classification of tomb grades and types in Western Zhou, the paper conducts an analysis by connecting the hierarchies reflected by tombs and those of residences while investigating into the hierarchies and natures of settlements formed by the tombs. Therefore, it aims to provide a clearer understanding of social structures of Western Zhou in the regions.We percept that, within the boundary of Western Zhou, the Ruler awards the land in his control according to the closeness of blood relationship, merits and virtues of relatives, talents of and contribution from followers in different clans, different hierarchies of royal lords and officers etc. Consequently, sub-cities for royal lords and officers of different hierarchies are formed in the vicinity of the capital cities Fengyi and Haojing where the Ruler stays as well as cities with particular natures and positions. Surrounding the sub-cities there gathers plenty of lower-hierarchy settlements. The cities on the top, sub-cities in the middle and lower-hierarchy settlements at the bottom compose jointly the social structures in regional terms of Western Zhou Dynasty.
Keywords/Search Tags:Central Shaanxi Area, tombs in Western Zhou Dynasty, hierarchy phenomenon, social structure
PDF Full Text Request
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