Asia, East: China, Bronze Age Civilizations

Abstract

From the 18th to the 3rd century BCE, the Central Plains of China had experienced several archaeological cultures, including the Erlitou culture, the Erligang culture, the Yinxu culture, the Western Zhou culture, and the Eastern Zhou culture, which are roughly corresponding to the dynasties of Xia, Shang, and Zhou recorded in transmitted texts. Before the Yinxu culture, however, this corresponding relationship is of great uncertainty, particularly when it involves discussion of the Xia and the early parts of the Shang dynasty. Throughout the entire period, bronzes had played an essential role in China’s material culture in terms of their quantity and social status. Therefore, this period is also regarded as the Bronze Age of China.