The Early Bronze Age

Abstract

This chapter assesses change over time in consumption and production of craft goods during the period of the earliest known states in northern China. It considers burials and habitation contexts areas from Erlitou (c. 1900–1500B.C.) and Shang (c. 1600–1046B.C.) sites located in the central Yellow River valley, as well as contemporary cultures in the lower Yellow River valley. The model of social change (Chapters 3 and 4) expects that gifts of food and prestige vessels for negotiation of social relations with supporters and for ancestors should be important components of elite behavior and political economy during this period of early states. An increase in social demand by elites for bronze vessels to legitimize political authority would cause intensification of production. Mortuary ritual and habitation remains should reveal elite privileges in conspicuous consumption of prestigious foods (meat, fermented beverages) and food containers of bronze. There also should be archaeological evidence for elite largesse in providing gifts of food and fermented beverages to political supporters to maintain loyalty and a sense of obligation.