The Bronze Helmet In The Periods Of Shang-Zhou In North China

The research aims to investigate the bronze helmet, a kind of bronze weapons for protection in the periods of Shang-Zhou in North China (in the north part of Qin Mountain and Huai River).The present thesis falls into five chapters.Chapter one as an introduction, introduces the location the the bronze helmet are found, the quantity and the pulished paper on it, presents the previous research on it, then offers the aim of this research.The classification and years of the bronze wares is given in chapter two. Two major categories of the bronze helmet is classified based on the edges of it. The different types are established according to its suface and non-lines, face-shape. The various types is categorized according to its appearances. Then we attempt to judge the time of the bronze helmet. The bronze helmet in the periods of Shang-Zhou in North China is generally classified four periods as follows: the late period of Yinxu, the middle period of Xizhou, the late period of Xizhou and the early period of Chunqiu, the middle period of Chunqiu.The spacial distribution and mutal influence of the bronze helmet are provided in chapter three. Based on the unearthed location, the bronze helmet are classified into two groups: the helmet in center China and the ones in north of China. The former with the typical representative of Yinxu M1004 reflects the late period of Yinxu while the latter stetches from the late period of Yinxu to middle period of Chunqiu: according to the current materials, A-type helmet are older and older from the West China to the East China, whereas B-type is orientatedly distributed in the west area of Liaoning Province, however, the oldest one is unearthed in Minhe, Qinghai Province, probably existing a trend that the helmet are older and older frome the west to the east. Furthermore, compared with a M-shape bronze helmet unearthed in the cental area of Euro-asia grassland, M-shape helmet of B-type in latter category mentioned above is not originated in China, but introduced from the central area of Euro-asia grassland.The pertinent questions are researched in chapter four, with the main part of the reason why the bronze helmet is fewer unearthed, the origin of the bronze helmet and its non-existance. More than two reasons can account for why lesser bronze helmet are found now compared to the ones widely used in ancient wars. Firstly, the bronze helmet are generally unearthed from the cemetry in higher rank as well as some other valuable items. Therefore it is proved that only the officials and generals are entiled to wearing the bronze helmet. Secondly, because the bronze helmet made of many pieces and those made of only one piece are simutaneously used, it might lead to the fewer bronze helmet unearthed. According to the developing of the bronze helmet made of many pieces unearthed in Qianzhangda Cemetry in Tengzhou, we can judge that the bronze helmet made of only one piece is developed from the ones made of many pieces. Because of its clumsiness, the bronze helmet in central area in China is not flourished, then disappeared as the time went on. In addition, with the disappearance of higher culture in Xiajiadian and the occupation of early nomadic culture with the representative of Jinggouzi-type, the bronze helmet finally disappeared.The major viewpoints and innovative points are summarized in five chapter.