Early China
A Social and Cultural History

A critical new interpretation of the early history of Chinese civilization based on the most recent scholarship and archaeological discoveries.

Li Feng (Author)

9780521719810, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 14 November 2013

367 pages, 82 b/w illus. 17 maps 1 table
22.9 x 15.1 x 1.7 cm, 0.58 kg

'An extremely useful overview. It provides undergraduates in particular with a comprehensive, competently written and digestible one-volume introduction to the study of early China, while also offering scholars in the field a sense of where early China studies as a whole are heading at the present moment.' Oliver Weingarten, Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies

'Early China' refers to the period from the beginning of human history in China to the end of the Han Dynasty in AD 220. The roots of modern Chinese society and culture are all to be found in this formative period of Chinese civilization. Li Feng's new critical interpretation draws on the most recent scholarship and archaeological discoveries from the past thirty years. This fluent and engaging overview of early Chinese civilization explores key topics including the origins of the written language, the rise of the state, the Shang and Zhou religions, bureaucracy, law and governance, the evolving nature of war, the creation of empire, the changing image of art, and the philosophical search for social order. Beautifully illustrated with a wide range of new images, this book is essential reading for all those wanting to know more about the foundations of Chinese history and civilization.

Early China chronology
Map of China
1. Introduction: early China and its natural and cultural demarcations
2. The development of complex society in China
3. Erlitou and Erligang: early states expansion
4. Anyang and beyond: Shang and contemporary bronze cultures
5. Cracking the secret bones: literacy and society in Late Shang?
6. The inscribed history: Western Zhou State and its bronze vessels
7. The creation of paradigm: Zhou bureaucracy and social institutions
8. Hegemons and warriors: social transformation of the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC–481 BC)
9. The age of territorial states: warring states politics and institutions
10. Philosophers as statesmen: in light of recently discovered texts
11. The Qin Unification and Qin Empire: who were the Terra-Cotta Warriors?
12. Expansion and political transition of the Han Empire
13. State and society: bureaucracy and social orders under the Han Empire
14. Ideological changes and their reflections in Han culture and Han art.

Subject Areas: Ancient history: to c 500 CE [HBLA], Asian history [HBJF]