Origins of Ancient Chinese Civilization

The Pre-Qin Period

Author: Xueqin Li and Hongjuan Zhao

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Description

This book presents detailed research regarding the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties, including studies of inscriptions on bones or tortoise shells, bronzeware, bamboo scripts, and silk manuscripts, in order to demonstrate the main features of various historical periods during the establishment and development of ancient Chinese civilization based on an a view of ancient Chinese civilization studies as a whole.

The book consists of three sections with a total of 38 essays. The first section provides a macro-level overview of the formation and development history of ancient Chinese civilization; the second section, covering general topics, examines the specific characteristics of early Chinese civilization, from Emperors Yan and Huang to the Eastern Zhou Dynasty. Lastly, the appendix features 7 articles, including a short biography of the author.

About the Author

Li Xueqin (1933–2019) is an eminent historian, archaeologist, and epigrapher who is recognized internationally as one of the most important Chinese scholars. His work cuts across a variety of disciplines. Along with serving as a professor at Tsinghua University, he has served as the director of the Institute of History of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing, the director of the Institute of Sinology of Tsinghua University, the head of the pre-Qin History Association of China, and the director of the project concerning the study of ancient Chinese Civilization, known as the Xia Shang Zhou Chronology Project. He is also a member of the International Academy of Sciences of Europe and Asia and an honorary member of the Society for Oriental Studies of the USA.

He received the “Lifetime Achievement Award” in Global Chinese Sinology.