Übung The Eastern Eurasian Steppe from Bronze Age to Western Han P9.2.1

The Eastern Eurasian Steppes from Bronze Age to Western Han (2500 BCE - 1st century BCE) This seminar focuses on the archaeology of the eastern Eurasian steppes from ca. 2500 BCE to the late 1st century BCE. We will have a close look at finds made in the area of modern-day Southern Siberia, Mongolia, the regions of the Great Wall and Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region/PR China. These include burials and the associated items as well as monuments (deerstones, khirigsuurs) that structure the landscape. By intertwining a close look at the material culture of this region with the reading of selected texts on cultural exchange, we will gather a deeper understanding of the eastern Eurasian steppe and the important role it played throughout time. ---- Bitte beachten Sie: Die Veranstaltung findet als Blockseminar im Zeitraum vom 15.04.-31.05. statt. Die hauptsächliche Unterrichtssprache ist Englisch, Referate werden ebenfall auf Englisch gehalten. ---- Meetings take place on the following dates: Saturday, 30.04.2016, 10-17 (Institut für Sinologie, Kaulbachstraße 51a) Friday, 06.05.2016, 13-18 Friday, 20.05.2016, 13-18 Saturday, 21.05.2016, 10-17 Friday, 27.05.2016, 13-18 (Referate und Abschlussdiskussion) ---- Part 1: Introduction This session aims to give a general introduction to the participants. We will define the area of focus during the seminar, key sites and relevant literature. We will also assign relevant reading and determine the topics for different papers etc. (Leistungsnachweise) to be delivered/handed in by the participants In addition, Prof. Guo will give an overview about current research carried out by Chinese Archaeologists. Part 2: Archaeological discoveries made in Southern Siberia Archaeological discoveries made in modern-day Southern Siberia are in focus in this session. We will have a closer look at the material culture of the Afanasievo, Okunevo and Andronovo cultures as well as the Karasuk and the Tagar culture. These play an important role in the formation of the archaeological cultures of the Eastern Eurasian Steppe. Part 3: Archaeological discoveries made in Mongolia and the regions of the Great Wall This session aims to introduce archaeological discoveries made in Mongolia and the regions of the Great Wall, which are important regions with close connections both to Southern Siberia and the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River. For the area of modern-day Mongolia, we will have a close look at sites in the Egiin Gol Valley and those connected with the slab burial culture, as well as at the Gol Mod cemetery and the deerstones-khirigsuur-complex at Uushgyn Ovor. For the area of the modern-day People’s Republic of China, the Zhukaigou, Lower Xiajiadian and Upper Xiajiadian Cultures are our main interest as well as the city of Shimao and the Yuhuangmiao and Majiayuan cemeteries. Prof. Guo will also give an overview about current research carried out by Chinese Archaeologists and the key questions that are being asked. Part 4: Archaeological discoveries and researches in Xinjiang Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region lies in the heartland of Eurasia and has thus often functioned as a link between East and West. In this session, we will have a closer look at finds dating from ca. 2500 to 300 BCE, which illustrate the frequent exchange relations and their results. Prof. Guo will also introduce and discuss his archaeological work in Xinjiang in detail. Part 5: Some Important Questions This session starts by summing up our previous discussions and continues by addressing important questions that can be asked on the basis of the materials found in the Eastern Eurasian Steppes from Bronze Age to Western Han. We will discuss the origin the formation of archaeological cultures and their relationship to those in the outside world in late prehistory, the transition from pastoral-agricultural societies to the mobile nomadic-pastoralist states in the steppe regions and the agricultural states of the oasis. In this session, participants will also deliver and discuss each other’s papers (Referate). Department für Asienstudien LMU München SoSe 2016 Dozent