The rite of pouring out heated alcohol in honor of spirits begins during the Late Neolithic but matures as a formal institution known in writing and in cast bronze during the earliest phases of the historic Bronze Age, namely the Erlitou (ca. 1900–1600 BC) and Shang periods (ca. 1600–1046 BC). As will be analyzed, the libation rite known as 示 + 爵 = (jue/guan) in Shang oracle bone divinations involved the use of the tripod jue爵 (bronze vessel). Although the rite continues to appear in written inscriptions through most of the Western Zhou era, by the 9th–8th c. BC the jue bronze vessel itself disappears physically in archeological finds. The libation rite, on the other hand, by the 9th–8th c. BC, is in part supplanted and conjoined with the term zan 瓒 (short jade rod), known physically as a short and slim decorated jade rod. Why does this occur, and what written and archeological data may be used to illustrate these changes? As will be analyzed, these changes are an example of historic syncretism and reorganization of ritual that underscore the beginning of the end of the Bronze Age. Both the small bronze tripod and short jade rod are known archeologically from the Late Neolithic through Zhou periods, yet one was used for heating libations and the other apparently for impregnating the hot alcohol with magical power.
Elizabeth Childs-Johnson (Fri,) studied this question.