Home Classical, Ancient Near Eastern & Egyptian Studies On the archaeological culture and related issues
Article
Licensed
Unlicensed Requires Authentication

On the archaeological culture and related issues

  • Wei Wang EMAIL logo
Published/Copyright: November 16, 2016
Become an author with De Gruyter Brill
Author Information Explore this Subject
Chinese Archaeology
From the journal Chinese Archaeology Volume 16 Issue 1

Abstract

Archaeological culture is a fundamental concept of archaeology, and an essential subject of theoretical thinking. In China, the study of cultures has been a central subject of archaeological research, especially that of the Neolithic Age and the Xia-Shang-Zhou Period. Since the 1980s, however, cultural sequence has been established in most regions of China, and all sorts of scientific techniques and archaeological theories have been extensively employed in archaeology; should we continue to take archaeological cultures as a central subject of research? If yes, how can we carry on the research in line with the new developments? Such questions must be addressed from both the theoretical and practical perspectives. Based on personal observation of Chinese archaeology, the author would present new thoughts on the concept of culture and related issues.

Keywords: Anthropology; archaeology–theories and methodology; civilization; cultural pluralism; ethnicity; typology

Postscript

The onginal paper published in Kaogu 考古 (Archaeology) 2014.12:6-76 was authored by Wei Wang 王巍. This abridged version is prepared by the author and translated into English by Liangren Zhang 弓长 良仁.

References

Childe, V Gordon. 1925. The dawn of European civilization. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.Search in Google Scholar

Yan, Wenming 严文明. 1987. 中国史前文化的统一性和 多样性 (The unity and variety of the Chinese prehistoric culture).” Wenwu 文物 (Cultural relics) 3:38–50.Search in Google Scholar

Yang, Jianhua 杨建华. 1999. Waiguo kaoguxue shi 夕卜国 考古学史 (A history of archaeology outside of China). Changchun: Jilin daxue chubanshe.Search in Google Scholar

Zhang, Zhongpei 张忠培. 1994. 中国考古学史的几点认识 (Some observations on the history of Chinese archaeology). In his Zhongguo kaoguxue: shijian, lilun, fangfa 中国考 古学 : 实践. 理论. 方法 (Chinese Archaeology: practice, theory, method). Zhengzhou: Zhongzhou guji chubanshe. pp. 45–57.Search in Google Scholar

Published Online: 2016-11-16
Published in Print: 2016-11-27

© 2016 by Walter de Gruyter, Inc

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. New archaeological discoveries
  3. The excavation of the Mazongshan jade quarry sites in Subei County, Gansu
  4. New archaeological discoveries
  5. The Dabona Cemetery in Xiangyun County, Yunnan
  6. New archaeological discoveries
  7. Gurugyam and Chuvthag Cemeteries in Ngari Prefecture, Tibet
  8. New archaeological discoveries
  9. A mural tomb of the Northern Dynasties at Jiuyuangang in Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province
  10. New archaeological discoveries
  11. The Gangga Cemetery in Chen Barag Banner, Inner Mongolia
  12. Spotlight
  13. Neolithic Age of western Tibet: a trans-Himalayan perspective
  14. Spotlight
  15. The Himalayan gold masks from the Eurasian perspective
  16. Spotlight
  17. On the early metal objects and early Metal Age in Tibet
  18. Reports
  19. The burial M90 of Songze Culture at Dongshancun Site in Zhangjiagang City, Jiangsu
  20. Reports
  21. Survey of the water control system on the periphery of the Liangzhu Ancient City in Hangzhou
  22. Reports
  23. The tombs of burial mound No. 49 of the Han Dynasty at Shangma Hill in Anji County, Zhejiang Province
  24. Reports
  25. The excavation of the mound tombs of the Han Dynasty at Nanping Town, Changde City, Hunan in 2010–2011
  26. Research
  27. On the archaeological culture and related issues
  28. Research
  29. A study on the Neolithic turquoises in China
  30. Research
  31. On the piece mold-casting technology of the bronze gui-tureens in the Shang and Zhou Dynasties
  32. Research
  33. On the “Zunie”
  34. Research
  35. The pattern of archaeological cultures in northern China during the Eastern Zhou Period to the Qin Dynasty – also on the interactions among the Rong, Di and Hu ethnic groups and the Central Plains
  36. Research
  37. On the development of Buddhist sculpture in Ye City and the “Ye City Style” reflected by the Bei Wuzhuang hoard
https://doi.org/10.1515/char-2016-0013
Keywords for this article
Anthropology; archaeology–theories and methodology; civilization; cultural pluralism; ethnicity; typology

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. New archaeological discoveries
  3. The excavation of the Mazongshan jade quarry sites in Subei County, Gansu
  4. New archaeological discoveries
  5. The Dabona Cemetery in Xiangyun County, Yunnan
  6. New archaeological discoveries
  7. Gurugyam and Chuvthag Cemeteries in Ngari Prefecture, Tibet
  8. New archaeological discoveries
  9. A mural tomb of the Northern Dynasties at Jiuyuangang in Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province
  10. New archaeological discoveries
  11. The Gangga Cemetery in Chen Barag Banner, Inner Mongolia
  12. Spotlight
  13. Neolithic Age of western Tibet: a trans-Himalayan perspective
  14. Spotlight
  15. The Himalayan gold masks from the Eurasian perspective
  16. Spotlight
  17. On the early metal objects and early Metal Age in Tibet
  18. Reports
  19. The burial M90 of Songze Culture at Dongshancun Site in Zhangjiagang City, Jiangsu
  20. Reports
  21. Survey of the water control system on the periphery of the Liangzhu Ancient City in Hangzhou
  22. Reports
  23. The tombs of burial mound No. 49 of the Han Dynasty at Shangma Hill in Anji County, Zhejiang Province
  24. Reports
  25. The excavation of the mound tombs of the Han Dynasty at Nanping Town, Changde City, Hunan in 2010–2011
  26. Research
  27. On the archaeological culture and related issues
  28. Research
  29. A study on the Neolithic turquoises in China
  30. Research
  31. On the piece mold-casting technology of the bronze gui-tureens in the Shang and Zhou Dynasties
  32. Research
  33. On the “Zunie”
  34. Research
  35. The pattern of archaeological cultures in northern China during the Eastern Zhou Period to the Qin Dynasty – also on the interactions among the Rong, Di and Hu ethnic groups and the Central Plains
  36. Research
  37. On the development of Buddhist sculpture in Ye City and the “Ye City Style” reflected by the Bei Wuzhuang hoard
Sign up now to receive a 20% welcome discount
Institutional Access
How does access work?
Have an idea on how to improve our website?
Please write us.
© 2026 De Gruyter Brill
Downloaded on 1.3.2026 from https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/char-2016-0013/html
Scroll to top button