Research On Sacrificial Sites In The Central Plains During The Eastern Zhou Dynasty

Taking the main sacrificial relics on the central plains of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty as our subject,we conducted classification and research in this paper,and discussed the sacrificial system of that period on the basis of archaeologically analysis of the relics.Combined with records in relevant papers,further discussions are made upon the ritual system and social ideologies of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty.The paper is generated in 7 parts:Introduction.Previous researches on sacrifice of the central plains in the Eastern Zhou Dynasty mainly focus on literature and ritual systems,but rarely from an archaeological perspective in a systematic way.This paper collected and sorted materials of former researches and did research on the basis of that in combination with hterature.Chapter One:Basics on the Sacrificial Relics of-the Central Plains in the Eastern Zhou Dynasty.The target is to sort out the discoveries and excavations of such relics,and classify them in accordance with different sacrificial objects for further discussion.Chapter Two:Sacrificial Relics of Gods.This chapter discusses and studies sacrificial relics of gods,mainly including social relics,river relics,architectural relics and rain-praying ones.Analyses are made,based on archaeological discoveries and documentary records,on four of them,respectively,to explore the sacrificial system reflected behind the scene.Chapter Three:Sacrificial Relics of Ancestors.This part focus on classifications of sacrificial relics of ancestors and tombs,including relics of Lu,the Cheng Emperor of the Jin State,and the Jin Tomb in Tianma—Qu Village.And comparisons are make with relevant records on pre-Qin literatures.Chapter Four:Comparison of Sacrificial Relics on Central Plains with Those in Qin and Chu Areas.Comparisons are made upon sacrificial systems reflected by relics on central plains and their counterparts in Qin and Chu Areas,then we further explored the cultural differences presented by the similarities and differences of the sacrificial systems.Chapter Five:Social Changes of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty Reflected by Sacrifices.Combining above-mentioned studies with social background of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty,we discussed social changes reflected by sacrifice in two aspects of ritual system and social stratum.For the ritual system,recordings show that there are some changes in rituals between the Zhou Dynasty and the Eastern Zhou Dynasty.However,judging from regions,we saw the influence expanded during the process of changing.And the hierarchy in sacrifice was a evolvement clearly shows the fierce ups and downs in Eastern Zhou Society where lords,officials and scholars became the major participants of sacrifices.Conclusion.This part is a sum-up of the general ideas of the whole passage.