State Formation in East Asia

Part 1: State Formation Theory

What is a state?

Social Evolution

Static Models:BandTribeChiefdomState

Search for “Prime Movers”Multivariate Models

Part 1: State Formation Theory

First-generation States

Pristine versus Secondary

East Asian Cases

China, Korea, Japan(modern names used as convention)

Part 2: State Formation in China

Historiography and Archaeology

History: Xia, Shang and Zhou

Zhou conquered Shang circa 1046 BC

Zhou ruler claimed descent from earlier“Xia” polity

Did Xia exist?

Archaeology

Erlitou Culture (ca. 1900-1500 BC)

Longshan Neolithic Culture replaced in Yanshiregion by Erlitou Bronze culture.

Ceramic styles: variety uniformity

Prestige goods: jade bronze

Sites Associated with Erlitou Culture

Archaeology

Control of bronze and salt of great concern to Erlitou state

Bronze requires supplies of copper, tin and lead.

Erlitou derived copper and tin from Yangzi basin;

Salt derived from southern Shanxi.

Erlitou Site

Near Yanshi on the Luo River; site discovered 1959.

2 palace structures on rammed earth platforms.

Erlitou Site

Erlitou Site

Erlitou Site

Erlitou Site

Burials show social distinctions - stratification

Large-scale construction projectsDistribution control over bronze and salt

Craft specializationPopulation increase

Indications of formation of state by 1800 BC

Erlitou State

Urban sites placed near core region and in distant locations

Dongxiafeng in southern Shanxi

Panlongcheng in Yangzi River basin

Served as hubs for transport of resources to core

Placement of outposts related to location ofmaterial resources desired by core region

Erlitou State

State formation possibly catalyzed by ritual concerns,and/or charismatic leadership

Expansion and control propelled by resource extraction,

especially in metals and salt

Does Erlitou = Xia(maybe; maybe not)

But it is the first state to appear in central China

Erligang Culture

(circa 1600 – 1400 BC)

Culture named after type site near Zhengzhou.

Major urban sites in core include walled citiesat Zhengzhou and Yanshi.

Yanshi appeared in late Erlitou period afterdecline of Erlitou site; it was a walled city with

palace structures;Erlitou styles replaced by new types.

Sites Associated with Erligang Culture

Erligang Culture

Zhengzhou – center of Erligang polityLarge walled city with bronze production facilities

(production of ritual bronzes shifted to Zhengzhou)

After 1400 BC the city declined, political center shifted to

Xiaoshuangqiao 20 km to northwest

Erligang Polity

Built on and expanded foundation laid by Erlitou.

Expanded geographically, especially into Yangzi basin;sought continuous extraction of resources

Zhikaigou in north; Panlongcheng in south; Served as distant hubs for redistribution

As in Erlitou, bronze was processed in outlying outposts,but production of ritual bronzes was limited

to the political center.

Shang and Zhou

Some say Erlitou = XiaSome say Erligang = early Shang

Anyang = late Shang

Zhou conquered Shang in 1046 BC

Later historical record is more accurate, but still problematic

State Formation in China

What prompted formation of Erlitou state?

Peer interaction? Ritual concerns?

State developed on basis of control over metal and salt;Monopoly of production/distribution of ritual bronzes.

In Erligang period political core shifted to Zhengzhou, But this polity expanded on Erlitou model.

Together they represent the formation and development of the first state in what is now China.