Jessica Rawson: Life and Afterlife in Ancient China

The book is made up of four sections: Building and Dwelling, 3200–1200 BC, The Language of Objects, Converging Cultures, and Conquest on Horseback. Each section focuses on a specific period in ancient Chinese history, using archaeological findings to shed light on the material and spiritual aspects of life in these times. It deserves recognition for its depth in analysing archaeological finds, emphasizing the technical sophistication, cultural significance, and socio-economic implications of ancient artefacts. It excels in connecting material objects to broader historical narratives, such as the use of jade to infer spiritual beliefs, ceramics to reveal afterlife practices, and bronzes to highlight ritual and regional variations. Its systematic exploration of steppe cultural influences on ancient Chinese civilization offers a valuable framework for examining the interconnectedness of early civilizations. Furthermore, the work stands out for its creative interpretations of artefacts, like the translation of woodworking traditions into bronze at Sanxingdui and the representation of centralized bureaucracy through standardized Zhou bronzes, offering fresh insights into ancient Chinese innovation and cross-cultural dynamics. As such, this book is an invaluable resource that combines scholarly erudition with an accessible presentation.