A brief description of Yangshao culture in China

Mondo Culture Updated on 2024-02-19

The Yangshao culture of China was an important culture in the middle reaches of the Yellow River in the Neolithic period of China, dating back to about 5000-7000 years ago. The name of the culture is Yangshao Village in Mianchi County, Henan Province, which is the first Yangshao cultural site discovered by Chinese archaeology. Yangshao culture is a typical representative of the Yellow River Basin in the Neolithic period of China, which is based on agriculture, has a unique painted pottery culture, and has high achievements in architecture, pottery, textiles, metallurgy, etc.

In terms of agriculture, the inhabitants of the Yangshao culture mainly cultivated millet and millet, which were one of the earliest food crops in China. They adopted the method of slash-and-burn cultivation to plant a large amount of millet and millet on the land, and mastered agricultural techniques such as irrigation and fertilization, which greatly improved agricultural productivity.

In terms of pottery, the painted pottery of Yangshao culture is one of its most famous cultural characteristics. Painted pottery refers to the painting of various patterns on pottery with colored pigments, some of which are simple and some are complex, reflecting the aesthetic concepts and lifestyles of the people at that time. The painted pottery of Yangshao culture is highly skilled, and its patterns and colors are very exquisite, and it is known as a treasure of ancient Chinese art.

In terms of architecture, the architectural forms of Yangshao culture are mainly semi-crypt houses and ground-level houses. These houses are made of wood and mud walls or mud walls mixed with grass, and the roofs are covered with thatch or leaves, which have better warmth and rain protection functions. At the same time, they also built facilities such as storage cellars and sacrificial pits to meet the living needs of the people at that time.

In terms of textiles, the inhabitants of the Yangshao culture have mastered the techniques of spinning and weaving, using spinning wheels to make yarn from fibers such as cotton and hemp, which are then woven into cloth using looms. These fabrics can be used to make clothes, bed sheets and other daily necessities, which greatly improves people's quality of life.

In metallurgy, the inhabitants of the Yangshao culture have been able to make simple bronze tools, such as knives, sickles, axes and other tools and **. They increased productivity and combat capabilities through the use of natural copper and copper smelting technologies.

In addition to the above aspects, the residents of Yangshao culture also have unique cultural characteristics in tombs and sacrifices. For example, they practiced burial and placed various burial objects in the tombs, such as pottery, jade, etc., reflecting the religious beliefs and social systems of the people at that time.

In conclusion, the Yangshao culture is a typical representative of the Yellow River basin in the Neolithic period of China, which is based on agriculture and has a unique faience culture and other achievements. Through the study of Yangshao culture, we can better understand the development process of ancient Chinese culture and history.

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