Yin Ruins Tombs With Jade System

Jade acted as high-level goods in Shang Dynasty. The using of jade was therevelation of social status and social relationship. The article mainly analyzed the jadefrom Heihelu Site inAnyang. In the light of archaeological methods, the articlestudied the using of jade via analyzing of micro-environment of burial, the classifyingand dividing of cemetery, the investigation of burial style, as well as the study ofmateriality, craft, shape, ornament and secondary alteration.Nephrite was the most important type of burial jades and stones in ShangDynasty, which was carefully selected by Shang people. Other materials, such asserpentine, turquoise, calcedony and marble, are replacements of nephrite. Based onshape and context, jade articles could be classified into ceremonial jade, ornamentsand instruments. Different material, shape and associates of jade reveled the socialstatus and relationship of the dead. The decrease of ceremonial jade and the thrivingof ornamental jade formed the two main streams of jade-using culture in late Shang.The development of ge was one significant example.The jade-using culture in late Shang Dynasty closely contacted with ceremonialactivities and burial conventions. The evolvement of jade-using well reflected thechange of ceremonial culture.