早期文明时代形成标志的再认识

A Revisit on Characteristics of the Era of Early Chinese Civilisation

长期以来,学界对文明形成标志的认识分歧很大,进而影响到对中国早期文明进程的认识和判别。文明作为整体范畴包括物质、制度和精神诸层面,其最鲜明、最能代表文明本质的标志存在于制度层面。基于中国和人类早期文明的主流模式,早期文明形成的主要标志应为君主世袭制。

A Substantial difference between the interpretations of the characteristics of civilisation development among academia affects the overall understanding on the topic of the establishment of early Chinese civilisation.Among indicators such as materiality and spirituality,the aspect of institution setting is the most significant one in identifying the nature of a civilisation.In examining the mainstream model of both Chinese and human civilisations,this paper suggests that monarchy should be the core indicator in representing the development of early civilisation.