The Liangzhu Culture

Abstract

Liangzhu culture sites are distributed through the lower Yangzi delta, around Taihu lake in China. The Liangzhu period is associated with the development of craft specialization, high degrees of social differentiation and the emergence of a regional urban center at what we may call the Liangzhu site complex. Liangzhu culture can be divided into three phases: early, middle, and late. Liangzhu jades, their production, form types, carved motifs, and use in burials are an important part of the study of Liangzhu culture and are summarized in the chapter. Social status differences have been clearly documented in the burial practices not only between the individual burials within a cemetery but also between cemeteries, which indicates the formation of elite groups beyond local social hierarchies.

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