Research On Spindle Whorls From Shimao Site

The Xiaojiawuji culture is an archaeological culture at the end of the Neolithic Age in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River.The total number of unearthed jade articles is more than 830 and most of them are small and exquisite,often perforated with strong religious color.In recent years,the disclosure of materials from Tanjialing and Sunjiagang sites provides an opportunity for in-depth study of these jades.This thesis focuses on the preliminary research on the stages,ages,combination restoration,and spiritual beliefs of the jade of Xiaojiawuji culture.This dissertation selects the Xiaojiawuji site as a typical site to subdivide the period,combining with the research results of the Wangwan Ⅲ culture,constructs the time frame of the Xiaojiawuji culture,divides the Xiaojiawuji culture which age is 2100 BC～1800 BC into three phases,and the age of other unearthed jade relics was investigated based on this.According to the shape and use,the jade wares of Xiaojiawuji culture can be divided into biomimetic jade,jewelry jade,ceremonial jade and tools jade.The categories can be subdivided into more than 30 categories,including human statue,cicada,eagle,tiger,dragon,phoenix,frog,pendant,crown ornament,hairpin,decorative plate,tube,bead,awl,pendant,semi-annular jade pendant,a round flat piece of jade with a hole in its center,ring,handleshaped device,a long hollow piece of jade with rectangular sides,ivory Zhang,adze,chisel,drill.knife,spinning wheel,battle-ax.etc.Among them,human statues,cicada,tiger,hairpin,and a round flat piece of jade with a hole in its center account for a significant proportion,and the evolution law is obvious,which can be classified into different types.Through the above research,it is found that the jade wares of Xiaojiawuji culture mainly appear in the first and second phases.The first phase is the development period which is strongly influenced by Liangzhu culture.The second phase is the prosperity period,which was witnessed possessed a wide variety of jade wares,as well as skilled use of bas-relief and carving techniques.Simultaneously,the increased number of combined-type jades formed a miniaturized jade system for decoration.The third phase is the decline period,the number of jade wares has decreased sharply,with only ivory Zhang existing.which has a close correlation with the decline of Xiaojiawuji culture.This thesis discusses the combination and restoration of the jade wares of Xiaojiawuji culture from three aspects:the unearthed background,the combination of ware types and perforation position,associated with the images on the jades handed down from ancient times and ethnological materials.By investigating the location of jade burial in the Tomb of Xiaojiawuji and Sunjiagang site,it is determined that there is compatibility in the jade.Six combinations of the human statue and crown ornament,hairpin and cap,hairpin and pendant,semi-annular jade pendant and round plate decoration,group jade ware,and human,eagle,and tiger have been observed.The connection methods between combined jades primarily include perforated tether,tenon and mortise connection,and an adhesive connection,which are restored into crown ornaments,headwear,accessories,and symbolic totem pillars.At the end of this study,the article interprets the images of sun,cicada,tiger,eagle,dragon,phoenix,and human head carved in jade,and analyzes the spiritual belief contained in jade in combination with handed down jade,unearthed pottery sculptures and relevant ethnological materials.During the period of Xiaojiawuji culture,the ancestors had a complete and systematic spiritual belief system.They had their own understanding of nature,worshipped the sun sacrificed mountains and rivers to pray for rain,believed that all things had spirits,and worshipped the divine animals with cicadas,tigers,eagles,dragons,and phoenixes as the core.They regarded animals who had the capability to communicate between heaven and earth,and their ancestors were the sovereign gods.Further,full-time wizards had appeared,and they prayed to their ancestors through wizards to bless all the best.Xiaojiawuji culture represents a polytheistic society with strong religious color,which has entered the civilization stage of Chieftain-state and even early States.