Beixin culture: Difference between revisions
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The '''Beixin culture''' ({{zh|c=北辛文化|p=Běixīn wénhuà}}, [[5300 BC|5300]]–[[4100 BC]]<ref name=Liu>Liu, Li. ''The Chinese Neolithic: Trajectories to Early States.'' Cambridge University Press, 2007.</ref>) was a [[Neolithic]] culture in [[Shandong]], [[China]]. |
The '''Beixin culture''' ({{zh|c=北辛文化|p=Běixīn wénhuà}}, [[5300 BC|5300]]–[[4100 BC]]<ref name=Liu>Liu, Li. ''The Chinese Neolithic: Trajectories to Early States.'' Cambridge University Press, 2007.</ref>) was a [[Neolithic]] culture in [[Shandong]], [[China]]. It was the successor of the [[Houli culture]] ([[6500 BC|6500]]–[[5500 BC]]) and precursor of the [[Dawenkou culture]] ([[4100 BC|4100]]–[[2600 BC]]).<ref name=Hirst>Hirst, K. Kris. [http://archaeology.about.com/od/bterms/g/beixin.htm ''Beixin Culture''], About.com.</ref> |
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Fifty sites from the culture have been discovered, located in central and southern Shandong and northern Jiangsu provinces, and show evidence of [[millet]] cultivation and [[domestic buffalo|water buffalo]], pig and chicken domestication.<ref name=Hirst /> The Beixin people fished for [[carp]] in the nearby river, hunted deer, and foraged for wild pears, roots and tubers.<ref name=Liu /> |
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==Excavation findings== |
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They made extensive use of [[hemp]] fibers |
Fifty sites from the culture were discovered, located in central and southern Shandong and northern Jiangsu provinces. These show evidence of [[millet]] cultivation and [[domestic buffalo|water buffalo]], pig, and chicken domestication.<ref name=Hirst /> The Beixin people fished for [[carp]] in the nearby river, hunted deer, and foraged for wild pears, roots and tubers.<ref name=Liu /> They made extensive use of [[hemp]] fibers to weave fabric for clothing, to make baskets, and for various forms of thread, twine and rope, including their fishing nets.<ref name=Allen>Allan, Sarah (ed.). ''The Formation of Chinese Civilization: An Archaeological Perspective'', ISBN 0-300-09382-9</ref> There is no evidence of hemp cultivation, but it grew wild in great abundance throughout the region. Small quantities of hemp seeds have been recovered, but archaeologists believe these were acquired as a food source rather than for planting.<ref name=Liu /> |
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Houses tended to be semi-subterranean and circular in shape. The Beixin people had separate housing and burial areas in the settlements, which was common for early Neolithic cultures. The houses and burial areas were clustered in small groups, which indicated a family or clan social structure in both life and death. Tools, weapons, and other articles buried with the dead as burial offerings, in the more recent gravesites, indicated development of a type of early [[ceremonial burial]].<ref name=Liu /> |
Houses tended to be semi-subterranean and circular in shape. The Beixin people had separate housing and burial areas in the settlements, which was common for early Neolithic cultures. The houses and burial areas were clustered in small groups, which indicated a family or clan social structure in both life and death. Tools, weapons, and other articles buried with the dead as burial offerings, in the more recent gravesites, indicated development of a type of early [[ceremonial burial]].<ref name=Liu /> |
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Violent death, as revealed by examination of the remains, was relatively uncommon among the Beixin people compared with other Neolithic cultures. Death was almost always attributed to disease or the results of old age. This indicates that the Beixin were a peaceful culture, and not troubled by internal strife or conflicts with neighboring cultures.<ref name=Liu /> |
Violent death, as revealed by examination of the remains, was relatively uncommon among the Beixin people compared with other Neolithic cultures. Death was almost always attributed to disease or the results of old age. This indicates that the Beixin were a peaceful culture, and not troubled by internal strife or conflicts with neighboring cultures.<ref name=Liu /> |
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==Artifacts== |
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Typical artifacts from the Beixin culture include stone axe heads, spearheads and arrowheads from hunting weapons, and stone sickle blades used to harvest grain |
Typical artifacts from the Beixin culture include stone axe heads, spearheads and arrowheads from hunting weapons, and stone sickle blades used to harvest grain. There are also a broad variety of clay and sand-tempered pottery decorated with comb markings, incised and impressed designs, and appliquéd bands.<ref name=Britannica>Encyclopædia Britannica, [http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/448835/Beixin-culture "Beixin culture."]</ref> Several three-legged, deep-bodied tripods for hanging pots or basins were discovered. Other artifacts include pot supports, bowls, and goblet-like serving containers, which may have been used as drinking cups or food serving bowls.<ref name=Britannica /> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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[[Category:Neolithic cultures of China]] |
[[Category:Neolithic cultures of China]] |
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[[Category:History of Shandong]] |
[[Category:History of Shandong]] |
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{{PRChina-archaeology-stub}} |
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Revision as of 20:31, 16 October 2013
The Beixin culture (Chinese: 北辛文化; pinyin: Běixīn wénhuà, 5300–4100 BC[1]) was a Neolithic culture in Shandong, China. It was the successor of the Houli culture (6500–5500 BC) and precursor of the Dawenkou culture (4100–2600 BC).[2]
The type site at Beixin was discovered in Tengzhou, Shandong, China. The site was excavated from 1978 to 1979.[1]
Excavation findings
Fifty sites from the culture were discovered, located in central and southern Shandong and northern Jiangsu provinces. These show evidence of millet cultivation and water buffalo, pig, and chicken domestication.[2] The Beixin people fished for carp in the nearby river, hunted deer, and foraged for wild pears, roots and tubers.[1] They made extensive use of hemp fibers to weave fabric for clothing, to make baskets, and for various forms of thread, twine and rope, including their fishing nets.[3] There is no evidence of hemp cultivation, but it grew wild in great abundance throughout the region. Small quantities of hemp seeds have been recovered, but archaeologists believe these were acquired as a food source rather than for planting.[1]
Houses tended to be semi-subterranean and circular in shape. The Beixin people had separate housing and burial areas in the settlements, which was common for early Neolithic cultures. The houses and burial areas were clustered in small groups, which indicated a family or clan social structure in both life and death. Tools, weapons, and other articles buried with the dead as burial offerings, in the more recent gravesites, indicated development of a type of early ceremonial burial.[1]
Examination of the remains indicates steady population growth over the history of the Beixin people, as well as a steady increase in lifespan, which suggests improvements in nutrition and health.[3] Chemical analysis of the abundant pottery shards found at the sites indicates that pork and millet were the staples of the Beixin diet, supplemented by venison, chicken, eggs, and a plentiful assortment of fruits and vegetables. This represents a broadly varied and very nutritious diet by Neolithic standards.[1]
Violent death, as revealed by examination of the remains, was relatively uncommon among the Beixin people compared with other Neolithic cultures. Death was almost always attributed to disease or the results of old age. This indicates that the Beixin were a peaceful culture, and not troubled by internal strife or conflicts with neighboring cultures.[1]
Artifacts
Typical artifacts from the Beixin culture include stone axe heads, spearheads and arrowheads from hunting weapons, and stone sickle blades used to harvest grain. There are also a broad variety of clay and sand-tempered pottery decorated with comb markings, incised and impressed designs, and appliquéd bands.[4] Several three-legged, deep-bodied tripods for hanging pots or basins were discovered. Other artifacts include pot supports, bowls, and goblet-like serving containers, which may have been used as drinking cups or food serving bowls.[4]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Liu, Li. The Chinese Neolithic: Trajectories to Early States. Cambridge University Press, 2007.
- ^ a b Hirst, K. Kris. Beixin Culture, About.com.
- ^ a b Allan, Sarah (ed.). The Formation of Chinese Civilization: An Archaeological Perspective, ISBN 0-300-09382-9
- ^ a b Encyclopædia Britannica, "Beixin culture."
