Wucheng culture

The Wucheng culture (吳城文化) was a Bronze Age archaeological culture in Jiangxi, China. The initial site, spread out over Convert|4|km2|sqmi|abbr=on, 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.

References

* "The Cambridge History of Ancient China : From the Origins of Civilization to 221 BC", Edited by Michael Loewe and Edward L. Shaughnessy. ISBN 0-521-47030-7
* Chang, Kwang-chih. "The Archaeology of Ancient China", ISBN 0-300-03784-8
* Liu, Li and Xingcan Chen, "State Formation in Early China", ISBN 0-7156-3224-8