Book
An analysis of mortuary ritual at the Dawenkou site, Shandong, China
[s.n.] • [S.L.] • Published In 9999 • Pages:
By: Underhill, Anne P..
Abstract
This is a study of changes in mortuary practices in the Dawenkou culture, based on the 1959 Dawenkou site report of 139 burials. Underhill first carries out two multivariate statistical techniques and identifies two major groups of burials, which she classifies as Early and Late Periods. She then goes on to determine the differences in burial practices between the two periods with respect to size and orientation of graves, body disposition, sex and age of individuals, and tomb artifacts. In the Early Period, most graves were the same size, but varied in number and types of artifacts, which correlated with the gender of the deceased. In the Late Period, graves varied in size, and in the number and kinds of artifacts, suggesting status differentiation. Also present in the Late Period were prestige goods made from jade, ivory, and alligator skin. Another criteria distinguishing burials is the difference in labor invested in both constructing tombs and making of artifacts.
- Region
- Asia
- Sub Region
- East Asia
- Document Type
- Book
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Archaeologist
- Document Rating
- 4: Excellent Secondary Data
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Notes
- Anne P. Underhill
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 34-39)
- LCSH
- China--Antiquities