| This article observes and depicts, from a cultural historical and cultural geographical perspective, the colorful social-economic living in Huai-Ru river basin during Eastern-Zhou period, more specifically, its agriculture, water conservancy, metallurgy industry, handicraft industry, transportation, monetary and languages etc. By doing so, we will regain an integral view of this region.This paper studies from agriculture and water conservancy in the beginning. Huai-Ru river region keeps a long and thriving farming history ever since it was recorded. Back to the pre-Qin period, this area enjoys a warm and moisture climate with abundant rainfall and as a result rivers and lakes spread across this region. However, it is also because of this, building special facilities is indispensible when exploiting and farming so as to avoid floods and promote the expanding of farmland. There is no denying that the large-scale construction of agricultural projects requires more advanced means of production including skills, among which the wide application of metal tools contributes greatly. The rich iron resources, advanced iron-smelting tech and iron casting tech fullfilled the large-scale exploitation of agriculture and water conservancy in Huai-Ru river basin, explained through the Iron smelting ruins groups of the Siu-tong creek and Low Reaches of Miyang. Besides the iron, other important metal resources like copper and gold, etc. are also distributed through this area, as consistent with the records of the Numerous Yang gold in the excavated document and the statement that There is Ru-Han gold in Chu.The development of agriculture and handicraft industry in Huai-Ru river basin promotes its whole social productivity, improves indirectly the transportation system and invigorates across-region commercial communication. Located in the transition area of the South and the North, the natural geographical advantage promotes the between-basin economic and cultural exchange and the Chu-led political and economic interation. as well as makes the regional culture of Huai-Ru river basin enter the category of Chu culture. As a result, Huai-Ru river basin becomes an important part of Chu’s market; Chu’s currency can be casted, issued and even circulated widely here; its language is also edified greatly by the Chu dialect and Chu characters.Above are all the changes of the social-economic living in Huai-Ru Area during Eastern-Zhou period and an important presentation of commutative influences. Politically, Chu wipping out coutries and administrating here is the first base(no details in this thesis). Chu culture is its soul and content but this thesis is only branches of the big tree. |
