"Proto-state" and "chiefdom" are two major theories used in exploring the origin of Chinese civilization. There is much debate about the relationship between the two and about their academic signif..."Proto-state" and "chiefdom" are two major theories used in exploring the origin of Chinese civilization. There is much debate about the relationship between the two and about their academic significance. In several respects, the questions answered by the two theories are distinctly different: the perspective of the one is emic, of the other etic, and their research paths are respectively humanistic and scientific. The chiefdom theory derives from anthropology;it is evolutionist and its theories are constructed by analogy. Its strong point lies in exploring the mechanisms of the development of social complexity, but when used in archaeological research, the logic employed is deductive reasoning. The protostate theory comes from Chinese archaeology, and thus is historicist. Its strong point lies in understanding cultural meanings, and the research logic it employed is inductive reasoning.The two theories represent research paths that are complementary but not interchangeable.The purpose of exploring the origins of Chinese civilization is not only to find the truth of history, but also to understand and inherit its culture. Therefore, it is important to fully combine the two theories in building the discourse system of Chinese archaeology.展开更多
Ye Shu-xian＇s proposal of ＂Road of Jade＂ brings forward a new way to study the origin of civilization. Jade replaced bronze as one of the major criterions of the birth of civilizations. Ye explains jade as a mystic...Ye Shu-xian＇s proposal of ＂Road of Jade＂ brings forward a new way to study the origin of civilization. Jade replaced bronze as one of the major criterions of the birth of civilizations. Ye explains jade as a mystical witchcraft which has a sacred power for the ancient people. Because the jade is produced in the water, and has the similar color with the sky, both of which have significance for the origin of life, jade is thus considered to be the origin of power. The notion of jade-god gave birth to the civilization in ancient China and triggered competition among the settlements, which in turn, advanced the development of civilization.展开更多
文摘"Proto-state" and "chiefdom" are two major theories used in exploring the origin of Chinese civilization. There is much debate about the relationship between the two and about their academic significance. In several respects, the questions answered by the two theories are distinctly different: the perspective of the one is emic, of the other etic, and their research paths are respectively humanistic and scientific. The chiefdom theory derives from anthropology;it is evolutionist and its theories are constructed by analogy. Its strong point lies in exploring the mechanisms of the development of social complexity, but when used in archaeological research, the logic employed is deductive reasoning. The protostate theory comes from Chinese archaeology, and thus is historicist. Its strong point lies in understanding cultural meanings, and the research logic it employed is inductive reasoning.The two theories represent research paths that are complementary but not interchangeable.The purpose of exploring the origins of Chinese civilization is not only to find the truth of history, but also to understand and inherit its culture. Therefore, it is important to fully combine the two theories in building the discourse system of Chinese archaeology.
基金This paper is supported by General Financial Grant from the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation （Grant No.： 2013M542363）.
文摘Ye Shu-xian＇s proposal of ＂Road of Jade＂ brings forward a new way to study the origin of civilization. Jade replaced bronze as one of the major criterions of the birth of civilizations. Ye explains jade as a mystical witchcraft which has a sacred power for the ancient people. Because the jade is produced in the water, and has the similar color with the sky, both of which have significance for the origin of life, jade is thus considered to be the origin of power. The notion of jade-god gave birth to the civilization in ancient China and triggered competition among the settlements, which in turn, advanced the development of civilization.
