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Neolithic Pottery
Vase, Dawenkou Culture (4300
BC
- 2400 BC) A
simple pottery vase most likely from the Dawenkou culture along the
coastal areas of what is now China. The most notable design features
include the rimmed lip and the slightly serrated edge around the middle
girth. The vase is 9.5 cm. tall and 13 cm. wide. The piece has not been cleaned to preserve its
historical information.
Dawenkou culture (ca. 4300–ca. 2400 B.C.)Dawenkou culture takes its name from the archaeological site near the town of Dawenkouzhen in Shandong province. Dawenkou sites have been found along the eastern coast of China in the lower Yellow River valley region in Shandong and northern Jiangsu provinces, and in its later stage extends west into Henan province. Radiocarbon analysis indicates a long period of cultural activity from around 4300–2400 B.C. that is commonly divided into three phases: Early Dawenkou, ca. 4300–ca. 3500
B.C. Tombs of various
sizes have been excavated at Dawenkou sites, and range from sparsely
equipped small burials to large tombs with up to about 180 objects.
Artifacts found in the tombs include ceramic vessels, stone tools, jade
ornaments, turtleshells, extracted human teeth, dog sacrifices, and pig
skulls. The ceramics produced included earthenware vessels colored
white, black, red, gray, brown, and yellow, whose types and their
shapes changed considerably over the course of the Dawenkou period. The
ceramics generally have a smooth finish, and often have been burnished,
and they can be decorated with paint, carved, openwork, stamped, or
applique designs. In addition, the selection of the clays for
particular vessels was often tailored to its purpose. Carefully washed
fine clays were reserved for delicate ritual wares, while clay with
fine– or coarse–grained sand were often used for heavier utilitarian
wares. (from Princeton
University
Asian Art)
References A map of early Neolithic cultures in China.
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