An archaeological review of the formation process of ritual system in China

This study aims to comprehend the contextual backdrop of research concerning the formation of civilization and nation in prehistoric and ancient China. The focus is specifically on the ritual system, with a thorough examination of archaeological findings and Chinese research outcomes. The archaeological exploration delves into the process of establishing this ritual system. Ritual system, viewed as the cornerstone of national governance, is deemed a distinguishing trait of the ancient Chinese civilizations during the Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasties. Hence, it's imperative to scrutinize the earlier stages of ritual formation archaeologically. Initially rooted in ritual, it underwent a progression towards standardization and institutionalization, ultimately serving as a benchmark for social status and roles, and laying the foundation for a governance framework-a hallmark of the Three Dynasties era in China. To delve into the archaeological trajectory of ritual formation, materials from the middle and late Neolithic Age preceding the Three Dynasties were categorized into ritual architecture, tombs, human sacrifice, and ritual artifacts like pottery and jadeware. As a consequence, transformations such as the construction of rammed earth foundations and large buildings, the rise and prevalence of tombs featuring double wooden coffins, the advent of human sacrifices and funeral rites, the evolution of exceptional high-quality earthenware, and the regional shifts and developments in jadeware emerged. While these changes began to manifest during the parallel period of the Yangshao Culture in the Neolithic Age, it has been confirmed that they became standardized and regularized starting from the Longshan Culture stage.