Erligang culture
二里岗文化
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Erligang Culture
Welcome to the site of the Erligang Culture, located in modern-day Zhengzhou. To understand Chinese civilization, one must look toward the Bronze Age, a period that laid the very foundations of the Chinese state. …
Listen in the app2The Science of Bronze — Mining and Smelting
Our journey into the Erligang culture begins with the raw materials of power: copper and tin. In the ancient world, bronze was one of the most expensive and difficult materials to produce. …
Listen in the app3Mastery of Form — The Section Mold Technique
One of the most remarkable achievements of the Erligang culture was the invention of a unique bronze casting method: the section mold technique. While other civilizations around the world were using the lost-wax process, the…
Listen in the app4The Face of the Divine — The Taotie Motif
As you examine the bronze vessels of the Erligang era, one recurring motif will catch your eye: the taotie mask. This is a mysterious and powerful image that decorates almost every major Shang bronze vessel discovered to date. …
Listen in the app5Urban Foundations — Rammed Earth Walls
The Erligang culture was defined not only by its bronzes but also by its massive urban projects. At the heart of the site in Zhengzhou lie the remains of some of the largest city walls of the ancient world. …
Listen in the app6Ritual and Sacrifice — The Life of the Elite
Life for the Erligang elite was defined by a complex web of rituals and sacrifices. The bronze vessels we have discussed were primarily used in elaborate ceremonies to offer food and wine to the spirits of ancestors. …
Listen in the app7From Clay to State — Standardization and Control
As we conclude our look at the technical aspects of Erligang, we must consider the role of standardization. Recent research into early Chinese pottery and bronze production has used statistical analysis to measure how 'similar'…
Listen in the app8Closing
Standing here at the heart of the ancient Erligang site, we have explored the origins of a state that would become one of the longest continuous civilizations in human history. The early Shang people of Zhengzhou were pioneers in…
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What is Erligang culture?
Erligang culture is a place with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Type | Heritage |
|---|---|
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 34.7540, 113.6760 |
| Last updated |