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Analyzing the functional structure of pottery jiandiping amphorae

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Published/Copyright: November 17, 2021
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Chinese Archaeology
From the journal Chinese Archaeology Volume 21 Issue 1

Abstract

There are numerous, controversial theories on the function of the jiandiping amphorae as Yangshao culture water-drawing vessel, wine vessel, or other. This paper discusses jiandiping amphorae functional form from a typological perspective and presents the view from molding technique. The primary function of the pointed bottom concerned sedimentation, yet the vessel’s small opening was poorly adapted to cereal fermentation. The large jiandiping amphora was less transportable but better suited to long-term storage and sedimentation: wine decanted into medium- or small-sized flat-bottom vessels or jiandiping amphora was easily transferred and used, and decanting served to remove any sediment from turbid wine. Functional differences between the large and small jiandiping amphorae explain varying functions and uses of double-loop handles. The development of sediment separation technique is the key reason for the disappearance of the jiandiping amphorae.

Keywords: jiandiping amphorae; Yangshao culture; functional structure; sediment separation; wine vessels

Postscript

The original report was published in Kaogu 考古 (Archaeology) 2019.11:76–88 with 71 notes and 12 illustrations. This English version, translated by Edward Allen 安达, has excised notes and added further readings.

Further readings

Chen, Xingcan 陈星灿. 2006. 尖底瓶的用法 (On the use of the jiandiping amphorae). In Zhongguo wenwubao 中国文物报 (China cultural relics news) Jan 6:7.

McGovern, P. E., J. Zhang, J. Tang, Z. Zhang, G. R. Hall, R. A. Moreau, A. Nunez, E. D. Butrymm, M. R. Richards, C-S. Wang, G. Cheng, Z. Zhao, and C. Wang. 2004. Fermented beverages of pre-and proto-historic China. PNAS 101(51):17593–17598.

Wang, Jiajing, Li Liu, Terry Ball, Linjie Yu, Yuanqing Li, and Fulai Xing. 2016. Revealing a 5,000-y-old beer recipe in China. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 113(23):6444–6448.

Published Online: 2021-11-17
Published in Print: 2021-11-25

© 2021 Walter De Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. New archaeological discoveries
  3. The Longshan culture site at Ximengzhuang, Tengzhou, Shandong
  4. The Honghe site in Qiqihar, Heilongjiang
  5. The grand platform of Huangchengtai at Shimao site in Shenmu, Shaanxi
  6. The 2018–2019 excavation of the Xiwubi site in Jiangxian County, Shanxi
  7. Zeng state cemetery at Zaoshulin during the Spring and Autumn period, Suizhou, Hubei
  8. The excavation of tomb M1 in Quangou cemetery, Wulan County, Qinghai
  9. Reports
  10. The 2016–2018 excavation of the cemetery at the Sunjiagang site, Lixian County, Hunan
  11. The excavation of a cache of lead ingots in Liujiazhuang Locus North of Yinxu, Anyang, Henan
  12. Research
  13. Analyzing the functional structure of pottery jiandiping amphorae
  14. Shimao culture: naming, distribution, and chronology
  15. A comparative study of Shimao and Taosi
  16. New insights into the settlement patterns of the capital city at Erlitou
  17. On the brass ewer unearthed from the crypt of the Shang-fang Śarīra Stupa of Qingshan Monastery in Lintong District, Shaanxi
  18. The physical evolution and biocultural adaptation indicated by the human skeletons of Donghulin site, Beijing
  19. Plant remains unearthed at the Donghulin site in Beijing: discussion on results of flotation
https://doi.org/10.1515/char-2021-0009
Keywords for this article
jiandiping amphorae; Yangshao culture; functional structure; sediment separation; wine vessels

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. New archaeological discoveries
  3. The Longshan culture site at Ximengzhuang, Tengzhou, Shandong
  4. The Honghe site in Qiqihar, Heilongjiang
  5. The grand platform of Huangchengtai at Shimao site in Shenmu, Shaanxi
  6. The 2018–2019 excavation of the Xiwubi site in Jiangxian County, Shanxi
  7. Zeng state cemetery at Zaoshulin during the Spring and Autumn period, Suizhou, Hubei
  8. The excavation of tomb M1 in Quangou cemetery, Wulan County, Qinghai
  9. Reports
  10. The 2016–2018 excavation of the cemetery at the Sunjiagang site, Lixian County, Hunan
  11. The excavation of a cache of lead ingots in Liujiazhuang Locus North of Yinxu, Anyang, Henan
  12. Research
  13. Analyzing the functional structure of pottery jiandiping amphorae
  14. Shimao culture: naming, distribution, and chronology
  15. A comparative study of Shimao and Taosi
  16. New insights into the settlement patterns of the capital city at Erlitou
  17. On the brass ewer unearthed from the crypt of the Shang-fang Śarīra Stupa of Qingshan Monastery in Lintong District, Shaanxi
  18. The physical evolution and biocultural adaptation indicated by the human skeletons of Donghulin site, Beijing
  19. Plant remains unearthed at the Donghulin site in Beijing: discussion on results of flotation
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