This module will explore key issues in the archaeology of later Prehistoric and Early Historic China, with a particular focus on the understanding of changing patterns of social complexity as revealed through archaeological evidence from excavations and objects. The period covered will range from the early agricultural societies of the Neolithic to the unification of China in the Qin Empire (3rd c. BC).  Major themes will include the emergence of social complexity, craft production, and trade. The module will include an overview of the major categories of material culture, including ceramics, jades and bronzes in terms of their production, stylistics and exchange. Students will explore recent debates concerning how such artefacts are related to the creation of Chinese hierarchical societies and settlement patterns as revealed through archaeology. Sessions will combine lecture and seminar discussion. Students will also contribute by preparing shorter presentations for a student-led discussion.

Aims of the module

To develop knowledge of the basic chronological frameworks for China's major regions from the Early Holocene up to the Qin/Han period and an understanding of environmental constraints on cultural development.  Themes covered will include in particular:

Differing trajectories to agriculture and sedentism across Chinese regions
	Differing regional trajectories to craft production, trade and evidence for social hierarchy
	Varied trajectories to complex societies and hypotheses of state formation
	Processes of initial urbanization in China and how it has been defined and recognized
	Differing regional chronologies of technological innovations, including agriculture, bronze metallurgy, jade carving, porcelain production, writing, horses and chariots, iron working
Learning Outcomes

To develop knowledge and understanding of:

Past human societies and their development towards social complexity and states in mainland China
	A knowledge of the major cultural-historical divisions of Chinese archaeology, technological innovations and social complexity
	Archaeological methods and theories as employed in the study of early China, in relation to agricultural origins, settlement patterns and state formation
	The nature of archaeological analysis and interpretation, with reference to Chinese archaeology
	The diverse nature of archaeological data and interpretation, in particular through the study of the culture history of various Chinese regions
	The evidence for trade and cultural diffusion between Chinese regions and further afield
	The role of scientific methods and theories as applied in archaeology
Teaching Methods

10 x 2 hours seminars, including a combination of lecture and open discussion, with one session dedicated to student power point presentations.

This module will explore key issues in the archaeology of later Prehistoric and Early Historic China, with a particular focus on the understanding of changing patterns of social complexity as revealed through archaeological evidence from excavations and objects. The period covered will range from the early agricultural societies of the Neolithic to the unification of China in the Qin Empire (3rd c. BC).  Major themes will include the emergence of social complexity, craft production, and trade. The module will include an overview of the major categories of material culture, including ceramics, jades and bronzes in terms of their production, stylistics and exchange. Students will explore recent debates concerning how such artefacts are related to the creation of Chinese hierarchical societies and settlement patterns as revealed through archaeology. Sessions will combine lecture and seminar discussion. Students will also contribute by preparing shorter presentations for a student-led discussion.

 

Further information is available here

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/archaeology/study/graduate-taught/courses/social-complexity-early-china-neolithic-early-empire