Xia Dynasty Longshan culture (2500–2000 BC), sometimes regarded as the culture in late Neolithic Age of China, was emerged in east-central Shandong and lower Yellow River, characterized by its lustrous, eggshell-thin black ware. The culture was titled for the place of the remains discovery - Chengziya Ruins, Longshan Town in Shandong China.
♦ History
The distinctive feature of the Longshan culture was the high level of skill in pottery making, including the use of pottery wheels. The Longshan culture was noted for its highly polished black pottery (or egg-shell pottery). This type of thin-walled and polished black pottery has also been discovered in the Yangzi River valley and as far as today's southeastern coast of China. It is a clear indication that neolithic agricultural sub-groups of the greater Longshan Culture had spread out across ancient boundaries of China.
Life during the Longshan culture marked a transition to the establishment of cities, as rammed earth walls and moats began to appear; the site at Taosi is the largest walled Longshan settlement. Rice cultivation was clearly established by that time. Small-scale production of silk by raising and domesticating the silkworm Bombyx mori in early sericulture was also known.
Remains found at archaeological sites suggest that the inhabitants used a method of divination based on interpreting the crack patterns formed in heated cattle bones.
The Neolithic population in China reached its peak during the Longshan culture. Toward the end of the Longshan culture, the population decreased sharply; this was matched by the disappearance of high-quality black pottery found in ritual burials.
♦ Longshan Chronology
► Early Longshan (3000-2500 BC) (Dinggong
► Middle Longshan (2500-2400 BC) (Chengziya, Taosi)
► Late Longshan (2400-1900 BC) (Taosi)
The new Longshan fortified settlements were built with rectangular plans, advanced drainage systems and buildings of adobe mud brick. Populations for one of the largest Longshan towns (Shijiahe) may have ranged from between 15,000 to 50,000 inhabitants within the settlement's walls. A recent survey of Shandong has revealed a regional political organization with four tiers of four-tiered set of administrative sites within the Longshan cultural period, with sites such as Yaowangcheng and Liangchengzhen acting as politically autonomous administrative centers. Some historians have argued that Longshan represents the archaeological correlative of the Wu Di, the "Five Emperors" period.
♦ Longshan Lifestyles
Whether the association with Wu Di is correct or not, fortified villages, an increase in weaponry and mass burials of people who died violently are evidence that Longshan was a fairly violent period in Chinese history. At the same time, religious and ritual activities became important, and the growing urban society of Longshan developed an elite of specialized professionals. Stone, jade, wood and pottery ritual objects were manufactured, including a very fine type of eggshell black pottery, and jade animal masks.
Stable isotope analysis of Longshan burials at Taosi revealed a diet based primarily on broomcorn and foxtail millet. Other crops identified archaeolgoically include paddy rice, Chinese cabbage, rape, and hemp as well as animal husbandry.
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