Study On The Bronzes Of Shang And Zhou Periods In The North Of Huaihe River In Anhui Province

As a crossing area in the north-south culture communication, the north of Huaihe River in Anhui province was an important district when the Shang civilization was transmitted to the northern regions. Numbers of tombs and sites of Shang and Zhou Dynasty were found in this district in recent years, in which plenty of bronzes were unearthed. The high level of foundry technology and exquisite shape of these bronzes had drawn a great deal of attention. Related researches are undertaken and we have already made some achievements, but few studies are aiming at all bronzes that were unearthed in the north of Huaihe River in Anhui Province. Based on the previous related researches, this paper worked on an integration analysis and study of bronzes unearthed in the north of Huaihe River in Anhui province. This paper is divided into five parts which are as follows:Chapter one:Introduction. The geographical scope of this paper was defined at first, flowed by a brief introduction on the history of this region, including natural geographical environment and related archaeological discoveries, the books and study of related scholars’ views. At the end of this part, the history and present situation of study were summarized; the purpose and significance of this paper were also elaborated.Chapter two:Researches on the shape and decorative designs of bronzes. After pulling all bronzes of Shang and Zhou Dynasty that were unearthed in this region together, a typology research was conducted on the basis of these original materials. Because the unearthed bronze ware mostly sporadic unearthed in this area, so the comparative research can’t be carried out on all these bronze. Based on the characteristics of these bronzes, a comparative study with bronzes from surrounding area was undertaken. A reliable age determination and judgement of cultural attributes was also given. Then classification and comparison were carried on according to the decorative designs on bronzes.Chapter three:Relevant research on inscriptions. A certain number of inscriptions were found on bronzes that were unearthed in the north of Huaihe River in Anhui province. Covered the whole period of Shang and Zhou Dynasty, those bronzes with inscriptions vary from regions to regions and time to time. So surveys of these inscriptions are of great importance. Flowing the order of the Shang Dynasty, the Western Zhou Dynasty, the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, this chapter involves a summarize of the inscription on the unearthed bronzes, a collection of explains of inscription from experts, author’s opinions on part of uncertain inscription and comparative study on the content of some inscriptions.Chapter four:A compare with bronzes that were unearthed in Changjiang Huaihe reaches and southern Anhui. Since the different characteristics each district have, the bronze culture in Anhui province is divided into northern Anhui, Changjiang-huaihe reaches and the southern Anhui. Due to the influence of different culture, bronzes in these three areas have many differences. Compared with the features owned by bronzes unearthed in three districts, differences between shapes, decorative, cultural factors were showed. The causes of these differences were pointed out at the end of the chapter.Chapter five:Other discussion. After summarized the previous chapters, it is figured out that the amount of bronzes in each dynasty was uneven. The author tried to explain it and carried on the forecast to the future about bronze research in the north of Huaihe River in Anhui province.