Craft Production and Social Change in Northern China

Transcription

1 Craft Production and Social Change in Northern China

2 FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES IN ARCHAEOLOGY Series Editors: Gary M. Feinman The Field Museum, Chicago, Illinois T. Douglas Price University of Wisconsin-Madison Editorial Board: Ofer Bar-Yosef, Harvard University Christine Hastorf, University of California - Berkeley Jeffrey Hantman, University of Virginia Patty Jo Watson, Washington University Linda Manzanilla, Unlversldad Nacional Aut6noma de Mexico John Parkington, University of Capetown Klavs Randsborg, University of Copenhagen Olga Soffer University of Illinois Matthew Spriggs, Australian National University John Yellen, National Science Foundation BEYOND FORAGING AND COLLECTING Evolutionary Change in Hunter-Gatherer Settlement Systems Edited by Ben Fitzhugh and Junko Habu CRAFT PRODUCTION AND SOCIAL CHANGE IN NORTHERN CHINA Anne P. Underhill EMERGENCE AND CHANGE IN EARLY URBAN SOCIETIES Edited by Linda Manzanilla FOUNDATIONS OF SOCIAL INEQUALITY Edited by T. Douglas Price and Gary M. Feinman FROM LEADERS TO RULERS Edited by Jonathan Haas LANDSCAPES OF POWER, LANDSCAPES OF CONFLICT State Formation in the South Scandinavian Iron Age Tina L. Thurston LEADERSHIP STRATEGIES, ECONOMIC ACTIVITY, AND INTERREGIONAL INTERACTION Social Complexity in Northeast China Gideon Shelach LIFE IN NEOLITHIC FARMING COMMUNITIES Social Organization, Identity, and Differentiation Edited by Ian Kuijt A Continuation Order Plan is available for this series. A continuation order will bring delivery of each new volume immediately upon publication. Volumes are billed only upon actual shipment. For further information please contact the publisher.

3 eraft Production and Social Change in Northern China ANNE P. UNDERHILL The Field Museum Chicago, Illinois SPRlNGER-SCIENCE+BUSINESS MEDIA, LLC

4 Ubrary of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Underhill, Anne P. Craft production and social change in northern China/Anne P. Underhill p. cm. - (Fundamental issues in archaeology) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN ISBN (ebook) DOI / Antiquties-Prehistoric-China. 2. China-Civilization. 3. Pottery; Prehistoric-China. 4. China-Antiquities. 5. Bronzes-Chinese. 1. Title. II. Series. GN C5 U dc The image on ilie cover is from a rubbing of a wall in the Wu Uang shrine, Jiaxiang county, southwestern Shandong. This shrine, dating to A.D. 151, the Eastern Han period, was built In front of ilie grave of a male official named Wu Uang, for presentation of food offerings after burial <Wu Hung, 1989, Tbe Wu Ltang Sbrlne, Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA). The image was selected to convey the social and ritual importance of food and containers in ancient China. The rubbing is ilie property of The Field Museum, Department of Anthropology. The original photo was taken by the Photography Department at The Field Museum (catalogue number ). 1 thank ilie department for providing the copy reproduced Springer Science+Business Media New York Originally published by Kluwer Academic Publishers in 2002 Softcover reprint of the hardcover 1st edition A C.l.P. record for iliis book is available from the Library of Congress AII rights reserved No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, microfilming, recording, of otherwise, wiiliout written permission from ilie Publisher, wiili the exception of any material supplied specifically for the purpose of being entered and executed on a computer system, for exclusive use by the purchaser of the work.

5 Dedicated to the Memory of EDWIN S. UNDERHILL III ( ) EMILY ANNE WOOD UNDERHILL ( )

6 Preface This book offers an anthropological analysis of how craft production changed in relation to the development of complex societies in northern China. It focuses on the production and use of food containers-pottery and bronze vessels-during the late prehistoric and early historic periods. A major theme is how production and use of prestige vessels changed in relation to increase in degree of social inequality. The research and writing of this book took place intermittently over a period of several years. When I first outlined the book in 1994, I planned to offer a more limited and descriptive account of social change during the late prehistoric period. In considering the human desire to display status with prestige goods, my initial approach emphasized how the case of northern China was similar to other areas of the world. I began to realize that in order to adequately explain how and why craft production changed in ancient China, it was crucial to consider the belief systems that motivated production and use of food containers. Similarly, a striking characteristic of ancient China that I needed to include in the analysis was the preponderance of food containers, rather than other goods, that were buried with the deceased. I decided to investigate the social and ritual uses of food, beverages, and containers during more than one period of Chinese history. Some strong patterns could have emerged during the late prehistoric period. It was especially important to assess both written records and archaeological remains from the Shang period. The earliest known system of writing in China emerged at this time, and one kind of medium for written communication was bronze vessels. In addition, a striking characteristic of the Shang political economy was the production of bronze food vessels. By including the Shang period, it would be possible to analyze changes in the vii

7 viii PREFACE production and use of ceramic vessels, followed by the rise of bronze vessel production. It also would be possible to evaluate changes in the production and use of prestige goods after states clearly had developed in northern China. Since early historical records from China focus almost exclusively on elites in highly stratified societies, it was important to explore relevant ethnographic and archaeological data from middle-range societies in other areas of the world. There are abundant cross-cultural data on feasting in residential settings and during mortuary rituals that helped me develop ideas about different possible pathways of change in production and use of food containers during the late prehistoric period. I personally began to understand the importance of food and beverages in establishing and enhancing social relations in modern Shandong province after initiating a collaborative archaeological field project in During every year of our project it has been absolutely essential to host and attend banquets with local officials and colleagues. Another absolute requirement is to offer toasts pledging friendship, support, and commitment. Our most memorable banquets have included dishes such as fried scorpions, camels' hooves, and whole pig heads CDawenkou style). Our team has enjoyed wonderful communal banquets, enhancing the integration of our group and relations with the officials who have made our work possible. At the same time, the banquets have included a complex seating order that displays the social rank of the participants in a practical way. It began to dawn on me that I was participating in a social process that probably emerged over four thousand years earlier. Since there are few studies on the late prehistoric and early historic periods of China in English, I hope this book helps to make the extraordinary archaeological record of China more accessible. In addition, I hope my approach for investigating change in production and use of food containers is useful for readers who focus on other areas of the world. ANNE P. UNDERHILL

8 Acknowledgments Several individuals and institutions made this book possible. I thank Richard Pearson for continually inspiring me to try something different. The important work of Prudence Rice on change in ceramic production systems motivated me to consider the case of ancient China. Eliot Werner and Gary Feinman gave me the opportunity to write this book. Their challenge to include the Shang period was made somewhat less daunting by the fact that there was an opportunity to ask several specialists for references and advice about dating, oracle bone inscriptions, and other topics: Zhichun Jing, David Keightley, Robert Murowchick, Michael Puett, Tang Jigen, and Xing Wen. Laura Skosey provided invaluable advice about historical records from more than one period. In my analysis of burials, I kept in mind the advice of Barbara Sands, an economist at the University of Arizona, to think about interred goods as investments. Michael Blake encouraged me to focus on processes of change. Gil Stein helped me better understand the importance of labor as a valued economic resource. Enjoyable class discussions with my students at Franklin and Marshall College, McGill University, Yale University, and the University of Illinois-Chicago about the development of complex societies, craft production, and analysis of burials also helped me refine my ideas. Gil Stein and Gary Feinman provided valuable comments on the first draft of this work. I am very grateful for the encouragement of Gina Barnes, Richard Burger, Charles Cobb, Gaty Crawford, Jean James, David Keightley, Sarah Nelson, Richard Pearson, Gil Stein, Alaka Wali, and my family. Two earlier mentors in archaeology whom I wish to thank are Michael Hammond and Amy Barry. Since 1995, I have had the privilege of directing a collaborative archaeological field project in Shandong province, China, with colleagues from Shandong University and The Field Museum (Gary Feinman, Linda Nicholas). ix

9 x ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I thank my four Chinese colleagues for all they have taught me about Shandong archaeology: Professors Cai Fengshu, Yu Haiguang, Luan Fengshi, and Fang Hui. I am fortunate to work with such dedicated and outstanding archaeologists. Professor Cai has encouraged me to compare social change in Shandong with other areas and to employ new methods of analysis. Since I could not find enough chronological information in publications that would allow comparison of social change by phase for different regions of northern China, it was necessary to consult experienced archaeologists in specific areas. Luan Fengshi and Fang Hui provided crucial chronological data for sites in Shandong. Conversations with Professor Luan also have greatly enhanced my understanding of ceramic production and use during the late Neolithic period. Professor Yu has taught me a great deal about Longshan mortuary practices. I am grateful to Professor Fang for his insights about ritual remains and textual data. Tang Jigen and Wang Renxiang generously provided chronological data for sites in Henan. I also have learned a great deal from Gary Feinman and Linda Nicholas about regional analysis. Any errors of interpretation from communication with scholars from North America or China are, of course, my responsibility. Professor Yan Wenming of Beijing University and a Doctoral Fellowship from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada first made it possible for me to investigate pottery production during the late prehistoric period of northern China. I am indebted to workers at the following institutions for allowing me to examine whole and reconstructed vessels for my initial study (Underhill 1990), which I draw upon in part for this book: Anyang Archaeological Work Station, Puyang City Museum, and the Shandong University Museum. I also thank individuals at the following institutions in Shandong for allowing me to examine more pottety vessels in 1997: Ju County Museum, Qufu Archaeological Work Station (Shandong Province Institute of Archaeology), Weifang City Museum, and the Jining City Museum. This research trip was supported by the Council on East Asian Studies, Yale University. Professors Luan Fengshi and Yu Haiguang generously made arrangements for me to work at these institutions. I am grateful for financial support from other institutions. postdoctoral fellowships ) from the American Council of Learned Societies (CCK/ ACLS Postdoctoral Fellowship in Chinese Studies) and the Wenner Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research (Richard Carley Hunt Fellowship) made it possible for me to focus on the Shang period at Harvard University. Robert Murowchick (former Director, Fairbank Center for East Asian Studies) and Professor K.c. Chang made me feel welcome and greatly facilitated my research. After 1999, the Department of Anthropology at The Field Museum provided a wonderful environment to finish. Generous financial support for the production of this book was

10 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS xi provided by the Commander Gilbert E. and Katharine Phelps Boone East Asian Fund at The Field Museum. The illustrations were provided by four talented individuals: Melinda Barnados, Tae Hwang, Jennifer Ringberg (formerly of the Department of Anthropology, The Field Museum), and Jill Seagard (Department of Anthropology, The Field Museum). The numerous Excel files and charts for containers in over one thousand burials could not have been produced without the skills of Joy Beckman (University of Chicago), Michel Stultz, and Robb Murray (Chicago computing consultant). Suzanne Teng helped immeasurably with the tables. I will always be grateful for the expert advice of Marjorie Pannell and Deborah Bekken. Bennet Bronson (Department of Anthropology, The Field Museum) provided assistance in preparation of the book cover. Finally, I thank Teresa Krauss and Herman Makler at Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers for patiently guiding me through the production process.

11 Contents Chapter 1. Craft Production and the Development of Complex Societies in Ancient China Prestige Goods and the Development of Complex Societies Reconsidering the Role of Prestige Goods in Social Change Change in Production and Use of Pottery Vessels as Complex Societies Develop Investigating Consumption of Pottery and Bronze Vessels in Northern China Methodological Approach Burials as Indicators of Changing Economic Relations The Plan of This Book Chapter 2. Sources of Data on Social Change during the Late Neolithic Period and Early Bronze Age The Yellow River Valley of Northern China Complex Societies during the Early Bronze Age Textual Data from the Shang Period, and the Importance of Descent Groups The Longshan Period (c B.C.) Longshan Economic Systems Concern for Ancestors The Late Yangshao Period (c B.C.) Late Yangshao Economic Systems The Dawenkou Period (c B.C.) Dawenkou Economic Systems xiii

12 xiv CONTENTS Chapter 3. Food, Craft Production, and Social Inequality: Cross-Cultural Perspectives Integrative and Hierarchical Relations through Exchange of Food... : Variation in More Competitive Feasts Mortuary Feasts Giving Away Goods versus Burying Goods Exchange of Food Surplus for Craft Goods Summary of Expectations: Food, Craft Production, and Increase in Social Inequality Chapter 4. The Gift of Food in Ancient China: The Role of Food, Drink, and Containers in Social Relations Food, Containers, and Social Relations in China Mortuary Rituals in Late Historic and Modern China Early Historic China Texts from the Han and Eastern Zhou Periods Feasting and Political Relations Records from the Western Zhou Period Textual Data from the Shang Period Additional Expectations for the Late Neolithic Period and Early Bronze Age of Northern China Chapter 5. The Dawenkou and Yangshao Periods Ceramic Consumption during the Early Dawenkou Regional Phase (c B.C.) in Western Shandong Inferences about Ceramic Production Ceramic Consumption during the Later Dawenkou Regional Phases in Western Shandong Inferences about Ceramic Production in Western Shandong... " 119 Consumption Patterns for Eastern Shandong during the Late Dawenkou Phase Inferences about Ceramic production in Eastern Shandong Patterns of Ceramic Consumption for Yangshao Sites and Inferences about Production Organization of Ceramic production Nonceramic Prestige Goods in Dawenkou and Yangshao Period Graves House Remains from Dawenkou and Yangshao Sites... " 141 Conclusions: Food, Craft Production, and Social Inequality... " 143

13 CONTENTS xv Chapter 6. The Longshan Period Consumption of Ceramics from Graves in Western Shandong Inferences about Ceramic Production in Western Shandong Mortuary Ceramics in Eastern Shandong Inferences about Production in Eastern Shandong Mortuary Ceramics in the Central Yellow River Valley Assessing Ceramics from Habitation Contexts at Hougang and Baiying Assessment of Standardization Direct Evidence for Ceramic Production Consumption Patterns for Nonceramic Prestige Goods and Inferences about Production: Mortuary and Residential Remains House Remains from Longshan Sites Conclusions: Food, Craft Production, and Changing Social Relations % Chapter 7. The Early Bronze Age Bronze Vessels in Graves and Inferences about Production: The Early-Middle Bronze Age Bronze Vessels in Graves from the Late Shang Period and Inferences about Production Large Bronze Vessels from Shang Sites Ceramic Vessels and Other Containers in Graves Other Bronze Items in Graves Jade Items in Graves Direct Evidence for Bronze Production Direct Evidence for Ceramic Production at Early Bronze Age Sites The Political Economy of Early States in Northern China Remaining Questions about Regional Economic Organization Conclusions: Food, Craft Production, and Social Change Chapter 8. Craft Production and Social Change in Northern China The Dawenkou and Yangshao Periods The Longshan Period The Early Bronze Age Closing Thoughts

14 xvi CONTENTS Notes References Appendices Index