Early China: The Making of the Chinese Cultural Sphere - Hardcover

by Jianye Han (Author)

A definitive archaeological study on the origins of Chinese civilization. In Early China, distinguished archaeologist Han Jianye challenges traditional narratives by proposing that the "Early Chinese Cultural Sphere" was already established by 4000 BCE during the Miaodigou period. Drawing on decades of excavation data and analyzing the lineage of archaeological cultures prior to the late Shang Dynasty, Professor Han demonstrates how early China formed a unique "unity in diversity." This structure was characterized by an agrarian foundation, cultural introversion, and a holistic cosmology centered on ancestor worship. Key Features: Comprehensive Analysis: Covers the trajectory of cultural evolution across the entire modern China region. Theoretical Breakthrough: Explores the "Highland Park" model of civilization formation. Richly Detailed: Essential reading for scholars of Neolithic China, the Bronze Age, and East Asian archaeology. This authoritative monograph has been selected for the collections of prestigious universities and research institutes worldwide, including: Harvard University Yale University Princeton University Stanford University Columbia University...

Author Biography

Han Jianye, born in 1967 in Tongwei, Gansu Province, is a distinguished archaeologist and professor at Renmin University of China. He holds a master's degree from Peking University (1994) and a PhD in History from the School of Archaeology and Museology (2000). He has authored over 80 academic papers and several influential monographs, including Research on the Neolithic Culture in the Northern Region of China and Bronze Age and Early Iron Age Culture in Xinjiang. With extensive expertise, he has also contributed to many archaeological excavation reports.