ERLIGANG CULTURE Meaning and
Definition
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The Erligang culture refers to an archaeological culture that existed during the middle to late Bronze Age in ancient China, dating from approximately 1600 to 1400 BCE. Named after the Erligang site in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, it is characterized by its distinctive cultural and technological features.
The Erligang culture was known for its developed urban settlements, with well-organized urban planning and advanced bronze production techniques. This period witnessed a significant increase in social complexity and political centralization, with the emergence of a ruling elite or aristocracy that controlled vast territories. The presence of large palatial structures and protective city walls attests to the consolidation of power during this period.
Archaeological evidence reveals the extensive production of high-quality bronze objects such as weapons, ritual vessels, and ornamental objects, indicating a flourishing bronze industry in the region associated with the Erligang culture. The culture is also notable for its mortuary practices, characterized by the use of elaborate burial mounds, grave goods, and human sacrifices, emphasizing the importance of ancestor worship and the belief in an afterlife.
The Erligang culture played a significant role in the development of ancient Chinese civilization, serving as a transitional phase between the earlier Shang dynasty and the subsequent Zhou dynasty. Its art, architecture, and technological advancements laid the foundation for the subsequent political and cultural developments in ancient China.
Etymology of ERLIGANG CULTURE
The word "Erligang" is derived from the Chinese characters "二里岡" (èr lí gāng), which translates to "Erligang" in English. The term "Erligang culture" refers to a Bronze Age archaeological culture that existed in ancient China from approximately 1600 to 1450 BCE.
The culture was first identified and named by Chinese archaeologist Xia Nai in the 1950s after excavations conducted in the Erligang area of Zhengzhou, Henan Province in central China. The name "Erligang" was chosen to identify the specific archaeological site and later adopted as the term for the wider culture associated with the site.
The etymology of the specific Chinese characters "二里岡" is as follows:
- 二 (èr): means "two" in English.
