This course gives a chronological overview of the development of early Chinese, Korean and Japanese culture and how these have been influenced by mutual interaction. A close-up of the most important developments will be provided via case-studies from representative excavation sites. We will focus on topics such as the complex hunter-gatherers of the ceramic Jomon culture in Japan, the transition to rice agriculture lifestyle, the Bronze Age cultures of Shang and Zhou-dynasty China and their influence on Japan via Korea, and the processes of urbanization and early state formation which led to the states as we largely know them nowadays.
This optional course is suitable for archaeology students specialising in East Asian archaeology, but also for students from other disciplines who want to know more about the origins of East Asian culture.
Admission requirements
Master level (or advanced BA3).
SAP and exchange students: admission after approval by the Graduate School of Archaeology.
Learning objectives
*Knowledge of the types of material culture and archaeological evidence found in East Asian archaeology; *Knowledge of the chronology of East Asian cultural sequences and to be able to define the cultural sequences; *Knowledge of and insight in the formative processes and cultural developments in East Asia, such as: early man complex hunter-gatherers, transition to agricultural lifestyle, technological innovations, craft specialization, interregional contact and trade, emergence of social stratification, urbanization, early state formation, the consolidation of the East Asian civilizations; *Insight into the mutually interactive relations within East Asia; *Insight into research themes and methods applied in Asian archaeology, via the presented case studies (see above) and to assess these critically;
MA *To be able to critically review articles; *Is able to voice one´s own well-argumented opinion in the discussion; *Is able to express one’s own well-argumented opinion in a paper; *Ability to write a paper on the chosen topic choosing a minor research question, define one’s own opinion and use articles to support or deny this point.
Method of instruction
Lectures.
Examination
Exam, assignments, paper.
Required reading
- Barnes, G.L., 1999, The Rise of Civilization in East Asia: the archaeology of China, Korea and Japan. London: Thames and Hudson – Habu, J.,_ Ancient Jomon of Japan_, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (various chapters) – Assorted articles