The Archaeology of Early China

This volume aims to satisfy a pressing need for an updated account of Chinese archaeology. It covers an extended time period from the earliest peopling of China to the unification of the Chinese Empire some two thousand years ago. The geographical coverage includes the traditional focus on the Yellow River basin but also covers China's many other regions. Among the topics covered are the emergence of agricultural communities; the establishment of a sedentary way of life; the development of sociopolitical complexity; advances in lithic technology, ceramics, and metallurgy; and the appearance of writing, large-scale public works, cities, and states. Particular emphasis is placed on the great cultural variations that existed among the different regions and the development of interregional contacts among those societies.
- Covers a long period in Chinese history, from the Paleolithic to the Early Imperial period
- Emphasizes the great cultural diversity of Chinese culture
- Combines up-to-date information on the archaeology of China with advanced and innovative analysis and insights on its social meaning
- Provides comprehensive references and lists for further reading