Early Civilizations 8/25/21 ARTH120Z 1 Key Points How do we know how advanced the Indus Valley Civilization has been, based on archeological evidences? How do we “read” prehistorical artworks? The material culture & technologies of prehistorical China, especially earthenware and jade. 2 The Indus Valley Civilization Thrived 2,600-1,900 BCE “Discovered” in the 1920s during archaeological excavations 3 Mohenjo-daro, aerial view & partial city plan, 2600-1900 BCE How does the city plan look like? Does it look planned, or does it look like it developed organically? 4 Mohenjo-daro. The Great Bath in the front, the granary mound in the background What does the significance of the granary mound in the city planning tell us? 5 The “Great Bath,” Mohenjo-Daro. 11.88 x 7 m, Depth 2.43m How do we know its primary function? What was this “Bath” used for? 6 Remains of arched roof for underground freshwater duct Household privy Chute outlets in wall for conveying bath water or rain runoff to municipal drainage conduits Large sewer lines Really good plumbing system… 7 Uniformly sized bricks made in organized workshops A standardized system of weights What do these tell us about the society at the time? 8 Stamp seals excavated from Mohenjo-daro Material: steatite What can these artifacts tell us about the society that made and used them? What can be their function? 9 Seal with “yogi”/Shiva-Pashupati. Mohenjo-daro, 2100-1750 B.C.E. Proto-Shiva? (Shiva as Mahesha, 10th century CE) Master of Animals? (pendant, 1700-1500 BCE) 10 Figurines of a mother goddess, c. 2600–1900 BCE Material: terracotta Likely a kind of votive offering to the goddess Certain physical features are exaggerated. Why? 11 Figurine of a “Dancing Girl.” Copper alloy, H: 10cm. 2600-1900 B.C.E. 12 Torso of a “Priest-King.” Steatite, H: 17.5cm. Mohenjo-daro, 2600-1900 B.C.E. 13 Neolithic period China c. 5000-2000 BCE Many distinctive cultures developed simultaneously, mostly along waterways 14 Conjectural drawing of Banpo Village (4700-3600 BCE, excavated in 1953), Shaanxi. Yangshao culture Why these materials? 15 Bowl with slip decoration of men’s heads and fish. Diam. 44.5cm. Banpo, Shaanxi. Yangshao culture Earthenware painted with slip 16 Deep vessel, Middle Jomon period (c. 3500-2500 BCE), Japan Comb-pattern pottery, Neolithic period, Korea Bowl with slip decoration of men’s heads and fish. Diam. 44.5cm. Banpo, Shaanxi. Yangshao culture Neolithic potteries—possible function? 17 Head/Mask, Hongshan culture, c. 4000-3000 BCE. Unbaked earthenware and jade. H: 22.5 cm Excavated with various jade artifacts in a tomb complex Naturalistic features, unclear function 18 Jadeite Nephrite Jade—”the fairest of stones” Most advanced jade-working technology in the Hongshan and Liangzhu cultures A luxury material. Why? 19 Disk (bi), Liangzhu culture (excavated 1936), ca ...