China and the World in the Liangzhu Era

Description

This book aims to portray ancient civilizations and the development of early states in China and the rest of the world during the Liangzhu period. From a global perspective, it describes the ancient Egyptian, Sumerian and Harappan civilizations, as well as lesser-known civilizations such as the Cyclades and Caral, underscoring the similarities and differences between their central settlements, capitals and material cultural remains. As for the national aspect, the book mainly explores the development process of east Asian civilization as represented by Chinese civilization and probes into the evolution of the Liangzhu, Dawenkou and Qujialing civilizations four to five thousand years ago in a search for the origins of Chinese civilization. Foreword: Liangzhu and Five Thousand Years of Chinese Civilization Contents Part I West Asia Civilization Circle 1 Introduction 1.1 What is Civilization? 1.2 What is the State? 1.3 China and the World 5,000 Years Ago References 2 Sumerian Civilization 2.1 The Land of Eden 2.2 Cultural Integration 2.2.1 Halaf Period 2.2.2 Ubaid Period 2.2.3 Uruk Period 2.3 Sumerian Civilization 2.3.1 The Late Uruk Period-Jemdet Nasr Period 2.3.2 Early Dynastic Period 2.4 Brief History of the Early Dynastic Period 2.4.1 The Prehistoric Period Before the Flood 2.4.2 The Early Dynastic Period After the Flood 2.4.3 Akkadian Period References 3 Ancient Egyptian Civilization 3.1 The Gift of the Nile 3.2 From Culture to Civilization 3.2.1 Badarian Period 3.2.2 Naqada Period 3.3 The Kings of the Upper and Lower Egypt 3.3.1 Dynasty Zero Period 3.3.2 The Early Dynastic Period 3.4 The Pyramid Period References 4 Harappa Civilization 4.1 Resplendence of the Indus River 4.2 Emergence of Harappa Civilization 4.2.1 Cultural Deposit (6,500 BC–3,300 BC) 4.2.2 Emergence of Harappa Civilization (3,300–1,900 BC) 4.3 The Flourishing Cities 4.3.1 Mohenjo-Daro Site 4.3.2 Harappa Site 4.3.3 Dholavira Site 4.4 The Characteristics of Civilization References Part II East Asia Civilization Circle 5 The Birth of the Chinese Civilization 5.1 Peiligang Period and Hougang Period: Origin of an Unequal Society 5.2 Miaodigou Period: Age of the Yellow Emperor 5.3 Liangzhu Period: Emergence of the State 5.4 Longshan Period: Co-existence of the City States References 6 The Rise of the Crescent Area in Southeast China 6.1 Liangzhu: The Earliest State Society in East Asia 6.1.1 Majiabang Period 6.1.2 Songze Period 6.1.3 Liangzhu Period 6.2 The Rise and Expansion of the East 6.3 Heydays of Jianghan Region References 7 The Great Central China Area: The Late Yangshao Period to Miaodigou II Period 7.1 Huge Changes in the Cultural Landscape of the Late Yangshao Period 7.2 City Sites and Royal Cemeteries 7.2.1 Xipo Site 7.2.2 Xishan City Site 7.2.3 Resurgence of Miaodigou Phase II Culture References 8 The Formation of the Crescent Area in Northwest China 8.1 Tanmiaozhong: Hongshan Civilization 8.2 Gansu-Qinghai Region 8.3 Conclusions Conclusions