Overview

This book offers a compelling archaeological exploration of China’s millennia-old civilization. Centering on 15 iconic cultural relics—from the Jiahu bone flute (a witness to early Chinese music systems) and Liangzhu jade cong (a symbol of prehistoric religious hierarchy) to the Four-Sheep Square Zun (a masterpiece of Shang Dynasty bronze craftsmanship) and the astronomical lacquer box from the Marquis Yi of Zeng’s tomb—the book weaves together material evidence with classical texts like The Rites of Zhou. By integrating archaeology, history, astronomy, metallurgy, and ritual studies, Peng Lin illuminates the technical ingenuity, cultural traditions, and social structures of ancient China, while highlighting the “pluralistic integration” of Chinese civilization’s evolution. More than a relic showcase, this work pioneers an interdisciplinary approach that bridges archaeological findings and textual research, debunking one-sided interpretations of ancient history. A staple in university liberal arts curricula, it provides both scholars and general readers with a rigorous yet accessible lens to understand how material culture shapes the narrative of China’s past. It is an indispensable guide for anyone seeking to grasp the profound connections between relics, culture, and the origins of Chinese civilization.

Full Product Details

Author:   Lin Peng ,  Jiguang Zhang
Publisher:   Springer Verlag, Singapore
Imprint:   Palgrave Macmillan
ISBN:  

9789819579914

ISBN 10:   9819579910
Publication Date:   03 May 2026
Audience:   Primary & secondary/elementary & high school ,  Educational: Primary & Secondary
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Forthcoming
Availability:   Not yet available  
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Table of Contents

Lecture 1: Agricultural Origins in Ancient China: New Perspectives from the Hemudu Bone Spade.- Lecture 2: The Origins of Chinese Musical Scale: Evidence from the Jiahu Bone Flutes.- Lecture 3: Painted Pottery Traditions in China: Evidence from the Shangsunjiazhai Dance Scene Basin.- Lecture 4: Early Textile Technologies in China: The Hemudu Silkworm Motif and Pre-Qin Textile Traditions.- Lecture 5: Jade Culture in Prehistoric China: Evidence from The Royal Cong of Liangzhu.- Lecture 6: Bronze Age Developments in the Yangtze Valley: The Four-Ram Square Zun and Shang Material Culture.- Lecture 7: Environmental Change and Elephants in Ancient China: Evidence from the Ivory Cup from the Tomb of Fu Hao.- Lecture 8: Ritual and Music in Bronze Age China: Evidence from the Fu Hao Bronze Assemblage.- Lecture 9: Early Chinese Astronomy: The Marquis Yi of Zeng Lacquer Chest Star Map and the Origin of the Twenty-Eight Constellations.- Lecture 10: Musical Acoustics in Early China: Jun Zhong from Marquis Yi of Zeng’s Tomb and Ancient Tuning Systems.- Lecture 11: Metallurgical Traditions in the Wu and Yue Regions: The Goujian Sword and Bronze Technology.- Lecture 12: The Bronze Chariots and Horses from the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor and Pre-Qin Chariot-building Technology.- Lecture 13: Maritime Technology in Ancient China: Evidence from the Quanzhou Ship of the Song Dynasty.- Lecture 14: Ancient Chinese Theory of Meridians and Collaterals: Evidence from the Zhengtong Bronze Acupuncture Figure.- Lecture 15: The Impact of I Ching and The Rites of Zhou on the Design of the Forbidden City and Beijing.

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Author Information

Professor Peng Lin is a leading Chinese archaeologist and historian at Tsinghua University, where he directs the Tsinghua Chinese Classics Research Center. Recipient of a 2016 edX Outstanding Contribution Award, he has pioneered numerous MOOC courses on Chinese culture drawing over 340,000 global learners. His research focuses on unearthed documents, ancient rituals, and China’s early dynastic history.

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