Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Wucheng culture

The Wucheng culture was a Bronze Age archaeological culture in Jiangxi, China. The initial site, spread out over , was discovered at Wucheng, Zhangshu. Located on the Gan River, the site was first excavated in 1973. The Wucheng culture probably developed in response to cultural contacts with the expanding Erligang culture, melding Erligang influences with local traditions. The Wucheng culture was a distinct contemporary of Sanxingdui and Yinxu.

The site at Wucheng was a regional protoporcelain production center; the culture is known for its distinctive geometric pottery. The Wucheng culture is also known for its bronze bells, the clapperless ''nao''. The Wucheng site at Xin'gan contained a rich cache of localized bronze vessels. Wucheng pottery contained inscriptions which may be an undeciphered script.

The site at Wucheng may have played a role in the decline of Panlongcheng. Both sites appeared to have served as regional, competing centers for transporting resources from the south to the North China Plain. During the end of the Erligang culture, Wucheng began to grow significantly, opposing the fortunes of Panlongcheng, which declined sharply.

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