Sources of Western Zhou History: Inscribed Bronze Vessels / Edition 1

by Edward L. Shaughnessy

Overview

The thousands of ritual bronze vessels discovered by China's archaeologists serve as the major documentary source for the Western Zhou dynasty (1045-771 B.C.). These vessels contain long inscriptions full of detail on subjects as diverse as the military history of the period, the bureaucratic structure of the royal court, and lawsuits among the gentry. Moreover, being cast in bronze, the inscriptions preserve exactly the contemporary script and language.

Shaughnessy has written a meticulous and detailed work on the historiography and interpretation of these objects. By demonstrating how the inscriptions are read and interpreted, Shaughnessy makes accessible in English some of the most important evidence about life in ancient China.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780520070288
Publisher:	University of California Press
Publication date:	01/08/1992
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	312
Product dimensions:	(w) x (h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Edward L. Shaughnessy is Assistant Professor of East Asian Languages and Civilizations at the University of Chicago.