The Research On The Sacrifice Remains Of Metallurgical Sites In The Xia-Shang-Zhou Period

Just as the old saying goes,"The Most Important Events of the State Are Sacrifice and Warfare",sacrifice is an important part of social life in the pre-Qin Period.The study of sacrificial activities is helpful to comprehend the whole social situation and even the ideology of the pre-Qin Period.However,compared with the research on the other types of sacrifice remains in the Shang-Zhou Period,academics paid little attention to the sacrifice remains of metallurgical sites.Therefore,on the basis of a comprehensive review of the archaeological materials,this paper conducted a systematic study on the sacrifice remains of metallurgical sites in the Shang-Zhou Period,in the hope of gaining a clear idea of the sacrificial forms,objects,methods and causes,and summarizing the developmental features of the sacrifice remains of metallurgical sites.And in the perspective of metallurgical industry,this paper discusses the issues of social organization and management reflected by the process of development about the early state and kingship.There are five parts in this paper.The first part is an introduction.Firstly,it gives a definition of the "Xia-ShangZhou Period","sacrifice remains","metallurgical sites".Then,it makes a comprehensive review of the history of academic research and points out the research status and problems.Finally,it presents the significance,purpose and research methods of this paper.The second part is mainly about the archaeological discoveries of sacrifice remains of metallurgical sites in the Shang-Zhou Period.According to the methods of identification,the paper introduces the fundamental information of archaeological discoveries in different historical period.In Xia Dynasty,there are at least 26 sacrifice remains were found in three sites;in the early Shang Dynasty,there are at least 15 sacrifice remains were found in five sites;in the middle Shang Dynasty,there are at least 45 sacrifice remains were found in five sites;in the late Shang Dynasty,there are at least 29 sacrifice remains were found in six sites.In the Western Zhou Dynasty,there are at least 23 sacrifice remains were found in four sites.And in the Eastern Zhou Dynasty,there are at least 15 sacrifice remains were found in eight sites.The third part is a comprehensive analysis of sacrifice remains of metallurgical sites in the Shang-Zhou Period.Firstly,the sacrifice remains of metallurgical sites in the Shang-Zhou Period were divided into six categories,including human sacrifice,animal sacrifice,instruments for augury,divination numbers,grain,and special objects.And meanwhile,the paper summarizes the characteristics of each type.Then,the paper analyzes the sacrificial targets,methods and causes of sacrifice remains of metallurgical sites.The targets of sacrifice are newly-casting utensils,gods of fire,gods of the earth,gods of industry and uncertainty.The methods of sacrifice are decapitate,burying,dismemberment and burning.The causes for sacrifice are summarized as follows:(1)craftsmen pray for the success of the casting of bronze and iron utensils;(2)conforming to social customs and trends;(3)the need to maintain the ruling order and consolidate the monarchy.Finally,on the basis of these analyses,the paper summarizes its developmental characteristics.The fourth part is the analysis and discussion of the related problems.On the basis of the above research,the sacrifice remains of metallurgical sites in the Shang-Zhou Period were compared with the sacrifice remains of mining sites and other handicraft industry sites in the Shang-Zhou Period.At the same time,the paper analyzes their differences.And in the perspective of metallurgical industry,this paper discusses the issues of social organization and management reflected by the process of development about the early state and kingship.The last part is a conclusion.The paper summarizes the main viewpoints and points out the shortcomings of this study.