Liangzhu Wenhua Yuqi: Dongfang Wenming Zhiguang

Jades of the Liangzhu Culture: The Dawn of Chinese Civilization

The University of Hong Kong

The town of Liangzhu is situated on the north bank of the Qiantang River and to the Southeast of Lake Tai. The term Liangzhu has also been used to name late Neolithic culture (c. 5300-4000 BP) in the same era. This culture is characterized by advanced paddy farming tools, exquisite black pottery vessels and refined jade artifacts. After six decades of investigation, the nucleus of the Liangzhu culture has been identified to be located in the three towns of Liangzhu, Anxi and Pingyao. Villages, burials, sacrificial altars and monumental architectural remains have been discovered. Since the 80's a massive quantity of jade artifacts were found from controlled excavations from the Fanshan, Yaoshan and Huiguanshan sites. Typical jades for ritual purposes include cong-tubes, bi-discs, and yue-axes. In terms of quality, quantity, variety, and technical excellence, these jades represent the climax in jade industry not only in the prehistoric China, but also within the entire Asia Pacific.

In the exhibition all the 95 items of jades were excavated from the Yuhang Neolithic Liangzhu culture sites, and the majority of them have never been published before. Now in the catalog all the exhibits were illustrated with colour plates, line drawings or rubbings, and detailed entries in both Chinese and English. Also included is an introductory essay by Mr. Wang Mingda from the Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Cutural Relics and Archaeology. It is an important reference book for the study and appreciation of jades of the Liangzhu Culture. The catalog is edited and translated by the Senior Curator Mr. Y. K. Lam of the Art Museum, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Price: US$52.50