Six Dynasties CivilizationThe Six Dynasties, also known as the "Dark Age” of Chinese history, was a period of political disunity and conflict but also one of important developments in the arts, religion, and culture. This comprehensive and extensively illustrated book covers the material culture of the Six Dynasties, A.D. 220 to 589. Albert E. Dien, a foremost expert on the period, draws on the archaeological findings of mainland China journals as well as historical and literary sources to clarify and interpret the database of over 1,800 tombs developed for this volume. During the Six Dynasties, the influences of non-Chinese nomads, the flourishing of Buddhism, and increasing numbers of foreign merchants in the capitals brought about widespread change. The book explores what the archaeological artifacts reveal about this era of innovation and experimentation between the Han and Tang dynasties. |
Contents
1 THE SIX DYNASTIES | 1 |
2 CITIES AND OUTPOSTS | 15 |
3 ARCHITECTURE | 46 |
4 TOMB ARCHITECTURE | 76 |
5 THE ROYAL TOMBS | 163 |
6 TOMB FURNISHINGS | 193 |
7 MATERIAL CULTURE AND THE ARTS | 233 |
8 FURNITURE | 300 |
11 MUSIC AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS | 339 |
12 ASPECTS OF DAILY LIFE | 354 |
13 BUDDHISM AND TAOISM | 387 |
AFTERWORD | 424 |
NOTES | 431 |
GLOSSARY | 513 |
BIBLIOGRAPHY | 517 |
585 | |
Common terms and phrases
appear base became body bowuguan brick bronze Buddha Buddhist building burial called capital Cave central century chamber changes China Chinese Chinese Architecture cited clothing coffin contained culture dated decor depicted described detail discussion Dong earlier early Eastern Eastern Jin Emperor evidence example excavation fig figures figurines first four front gate glass gongzuodui grave head Hebei images imperial important included indicate iron Jiangsu Kaogu kaogu yanjiusuo kilns later Liang located Luoyang material mirrors models murals Nanjing Northern Wei objects originally painted percent perhaps pieces placed Plan pottery production remains represent River shape Sichuan side Six Dynasties period sources Southern stone structure style Tang temples term tomb trans usually vessels walls Wang ware wenwu Western Xianbei Zhang Zhongguo Zhou