East211 Ch 1 Notes
The Neolithic Age • Archeological evidence o Humanoids lived as long as 1 million years ago in Southwest China; used fire ▪ Fossils discovered in Yunnan province o Peking man (a proto-human) lived about half a million years ago in North China; used fire & primitive flaked/stone tools ▪ Fossils discovered near Beijing • Neolothic ( cultures with polished stone implements, pottery, agriculture o South China ▪ Rice cultivation ← Warm, wet climate good for rice cultivation ▪ Raising of dogs o North China ▪ Millet cultivation
2 accounts of the origins of Chinese civilization • 1) The nuclear area thesis (Kwang-chih Chang,1960’s) o Oldest modern narrative o Argues that Chinese civilization originated from a single culture of millet farmers (Yangshao culture) in the North China Plains. Around 5000 B.C.E. they radiated outwards ▪ Scholars tracked the diffusion of Yangshao based on the movement of material culture • 2) The interactive spheres thesis o A revision of nuclear area thesis (Chang changed his mind) o Argues that the Yangshao was one culture among many. Around 4000 B.C.E., Neolithic cultures in the North China Plains started sharing & trading technology. Around 3000 B.C.E., many of these cultures converged & gave rise to China ▪ Takes into account discoveries of other cultures in various parts of China (such as Daxi & Xinle) ▪ See map, figure 1.2, p. 5 o Criticisms ▪ Questioned whether China emerged as a single, coherent civilization as early as 3000 B.C.E. ( material records show a lot of cultural variation after the Neolithic Age ▪ Chinese civilization is a relatively recent invention ( absence of a single word in Chinese for China
2 accounts of the origins of Chinese civilization • 1) The nuclear area thesis (Kwang-chih Chang,1960’s) o Oldest modern narrative o Argues that Chinese civilization originated from a single culture of millet farmers (Yangshao culture) in the North China Plains. Around 5000 B.C.E. they radiated outwards ▪ Scholars tracked the diffusion of Yangshao based on the movement of material culture • 2) The interactive spheres thesis o A revision of nuclear area thesis (Chang changed his mind) o Argues that the Yangshao was one culture among many. Around 4000 B.C.E., Neolithic cultures in the North China Plains started sharing & trading technology. Around 3000 B.C.E., many of these cultures converged & gave rise to China ▪ Takes into account discoveries of other cultures in various parts of China (such as Daxi & Xinle) ▪ See map, figure 1.2, p. 5 o Criticisms ▪ Questioned whether China emerged as a single, coherent civilization as early as 3000 B.C.E. ( material records show a lot of cultural variation after the Neolithic Age ▪ Chinese civilization is a relatively recent invention ( absence of a single word in Chinese for China