The people of Erlitou are actually very poor, and the archaeological community is unwilling to admit it
Originating from Luoshui and stretching to Yishui, it is located in a sun-drenched place, which was once the capital of the Xia Dynasty.
Zhenzhitang press] The Xia Dynasty was the first dynasty in the history of our country, and the ruins of Erlitou were considered to be the capital of the Xia Dynasty. Although this fact has been widely recognized by the archaeological community, many people are still reluctant to admit it.
The living conditions of the Erlitou people are very difficult, but their bronze making skills are extremely good, and they have become a symbol of China's ancient civilization. Bronze is one of the outstanding representatives of China's ancient civilization, and no other cultural relics can compare with it.
Although there are doubts about whether bronze was invented by Chinese people, this is no longer the focus of the discussion. There is no doubt that the Chinese bronze civilization reached its peak at the end of the Shang dynasty and the beginning of the Zhou dynasty.
However, after entering the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, the social order began to break down, and the bronze civilization gradually went into decline. The mysterious and awe-inspiring bronze weights of the early days are rarely seen.
Located in the Luoyang Basin of Henan Province, the Erlitou site is about 3800 to 3500 years ago, which is equivalent to the ancient Xia and Shang dynasties, and is known as "the earliest China".
The identification of this site as the capital of Xia is mainly based on documentary records. It is said that the earliest bronze ritual vessels appeared at the Erlitou site. Among them, the first tripod of China and the first lord of China are known as the earliest bronzes.
The first tripod in Huaxia is a checkered copper tripod, which was unearthed in 1978 at the site of Yanshi Erlitou. This piece has a flat mouth and a flat bottom, with three hollow quadrangular pyramidal feet, a pair of ring-shaped vertical ears on the edge of the mouth, and an irregular check pattern on the belly.
In Germany is not in Ding. The weight of the tripod is not to be asked. He said that there was a faint virtue, and Ding moved to Shang, after 600 sacrifices; Shang was tyrannical, and Ding moved to Zhou. The weight of Jiuding is not the most important, the important thing is that it symbolizes the submission and governance of the world.
The symbol of the Xia Dynasty's royal power, the Erlitou bronze tripod, has a long history, but it is small in size and rough in craftsmanship, and it looks a little shabby. Although it served as evidence of the Xia Dynasty's royal power, it is puzzling that its size is insignificant compared to the strength of King Wu of Zhou.
In addition, the size of this bronze tripod is only 20 centimeters, and the mold lines are straight and coarse, which is slightly rudimentary. Although some people say that it can be used as a funeral vessel, we are not sure whether it can represent the entire Xia culture.
Compared with this, the earliest bronze jue unearthed in Erlitou is known as the first jue in China, and has a higher historical value and craftsmanship level. Its size reaches 225 cm, length 313 cm, wall thickness 01 cm, with a distinctive narrow long stream, pointed long tail, thin waist, lean abdomen and triangular pyramidal feet.
The front of the waist and abdomen is adorned with 5 nipple studs, and its exquisite craftsmanship and rich decoration are breathtaking. Therefore, although the Erlitou bronze tripod has a certain historical value, it is slightly inferior to the first lord of China.
In ancient times, Jue was a wine vessel, which is rumored to have been invented by Shaokang, the king of Xia. The name of Jue comes from the word "Jue" in later generations, and the Book of Rites of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty recorded five kinds of drinking vessels, namely Jue, Yao, Jiao, Jiao and Zhu, collectively known as "Five Jue".
The Han Poems Biography also records that the capacity of the "Five Jue" is one to five liters, and the heaven and earth are sacrificed with fine wine, which is an ancient rite. In fact, as early as 5,300 years ago in the Xiliao River Valley, China's ancestors had already begun to hold nude rituals.
The ancient history of Zhenzhitang: one of the important ceremonies of the Zhou Dynasty - bare sacrifice and bare feast. Sacrificial offering refers to pouring wine on the ground to pay tribute to ancestors, while sacrificial offering is a ritual used by ancient monarchs to drink wine and pay homage to each other.
Although the Erlitou culture period belongs to the early stage of the bronze culture, it is relatively simple and cannot be compared with the bronze lord of Wuding in the late Shang period, but the cultural relics unearthed from the tomb of Nuhao in the picture below are still worthy of our appreciation.
Although the unearthed age of the bronze knife of the Machang culture is about 5,000 years ago, the production skills of the bronze jue unearthed at the Erlitou site are still very simple.
The artistic value of this item is not high, and if it is on the stall, it may be regarded as broken copper and iron, and no one cares about it.
The uniqueness of Erlitou culture lies in the mysterious bronze medals inlaid with turquoise. Although we still don't know what these bronze medals are used for, it makes people curious and eager to explore the history and stories of this culture.
In addition to the bronzes, there is another artifact worth mentioning - the turquoise dragon. Taking bronze bells as an example, six bronze bells have been unearthed at the Erlitou site, which are abundant in number.
This bronze bell is very old, originating from the second phase of the Erlitou culture (1685 BC and 1610 BC), and has entered the Xia Dynasty. It was discovered in 1962 in tomb M22, which unearthed a total of 14 artifacts such as pottery, bronze and turquoise, and this winged copper bell is the only bronze artifact.
In addition to this copper bell, the remaining five copper bells are equipped with jade tubular bell tongues. The time span of these copper bells ranges from phase II to phase IV, with little change. Compared with the copper bell of Taosi culture 4,300 years ago, the progress of this copper bell is not obvious.
After 6-700 years of development, the bronze craft of the Erlitou people still stays in the Taosi culture period. Still, the archaeological community seems to be shy about it.
In fact, the pottery production level of the Erlitou culture is still inferior to that of the pottery of the Longshan culture period in Shandong. The following is the pottery unearthed from the Erlitou site, which you can enjoy by yourself.
This pottery belongs to the Longshan culture, which is 6-700 years earlier than the Erlitou date.
Despite the progress of civilization, pottery is still the main vessel here, while bronze is an extremely rare occurrence. Its rarity is comparable to that of the Linfen Tao Temple culture in Shanxi Province 6-700 years ago.
In addition to the copper bell, the pottery of the Tao Temple site also unearthed copper gear ware and other bronze utensils, and the pottery of the Tao Temple is far beyond the beauty of the Erlitou site, full of the spirit of the king. The makers of these pottery spent a lot of time designing patterns that express the status of the vessels, which are also a testament to history.
The typical pottery and bronze ware of Erlitou do not show the temperament of a king.
Although the first bronze Yue in China unearthed in Erlitou can be regarded as a practical axe, it would be a great pity if it was linked to royal power and military power.
Let's enjoy the style of the Shang Dynasty bronze Yue together. This ancient artifact is believed to symbolize royal power, and I'm sure you'll agree too.
Ancient history of Zhenzhitang: Shen Na spear, a bronze weapon 4,000 years ago, was unearthed in the Qijia cultural site in Gansu, and its length reached 615 centimeters, 200 years earlier than the first phase of Erlitou culture.
If this giant spear is a symbol of the civilization of the Xia Dynasty, it is not too much. However, it would be a bit far-fetched to regard the bronze Yue in Erlitou as a representative of royal power.
The Yanshi ** opposite the Erlitou site unearthed the bronzes of the early Shang period, let us no longer argue whether the third or fourth period is Xia or Shang, but directly appreciate the style of the earliest Shang Dynasty bronzes.
Bronze shelf, regular shape, exquisite casting technology, if it is said to be the wine vessel of the king of Shangtang, I am convinced. If the bronzes unearthed in the second figure below are really used by King Xia Ji, it can only be said that the craftsmanship level of the Xia Dynasty people needs to be improved.
This bronze Ge of Yanshi ** is enough to prove that the combat effectiveness of the merchant army far exceeds that of Erlitouren. Although the Erlitou site has also unearthed bronze Ge, we can't find the relevant **, so we can only understand the situation by comparing the bronze Yue.
There is no harm if there is no comparison, compared with the top goods, the bronze ** in these two miles is really heaven and earth.
Analysis of the Ancient History of Zhenzhitang: Exploring the bronze statue of the early Shang period, you can see its royal demeanor at a glance. Even after spanning 3,600 years of the Shang Dynasty and into modern times, this bronze statue is still a work of art with exquisite craftsmanship.
A glimpse of the so-called first tripod in China, it is self-evident. "
Although everyone understands it, it is a tear when it comes out. The existence of the Erlitou site undoubtedly reveals the poverty of the Erlitou people. The Erlitou culture stayed in the early stage of the era of copper and stone use, without city walls and royal tombs, and its life was no different from that of the Neolithic Age, and even inferior to the late Longshan culture.
Bronze making technology stayed 5000-4300 years ago, and there was no progress in 6-700 years. In the early Shang dynasty, there was already an obvious dynastic atmosphere, jumping directly from the Neolithic Age to the Bronze Age.
The bronze statue unearthed by Yanshi ** is evidence of the existence of royal power. This article may upend your perception, but it is the truth and cannot be changed. Believe it or not, it's there, neither increasing nor decreasing.
What is your opinion on this fact? Welcome to leave a message to share. Thank you for your praise and support, and I wish you all a smooth Year of the Dragon!