Exploring the Issue of Western and Local Perspectives on Yangshao Culture

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

The discovery of Yangshao Village stands as one of the most significant archaeological findings in Chinese history. Its study, ongoing since the last century, holds immense importance for understanding the origins of Chinese civilization. The Swedish archaeologist Johan Gunnar Andersson played a pivotal role in the excavation of the Yangshao site. Central to the research is the debate between the Western origin theory and the indigenous origin theory of Yangshao culture. The discovery of Longshan culture serves as evidence against the Western origin theory. Through analysis, it becomes clear that both Longshan and Yangshao cultures are indigenous to China, not opposing entities but rather representing different chronological periods. Although Andersson's initial hypotheses were flawed, his contributions to the inception of Chinese archaeology and the training of field archaeologists were decisive.