Page 24 - Deydier Early Chinese Bronzes

The next expedition, which took place
later in 1981 and which concentrated its
efforts on Sector V of the site, brought
to light a number of tombs datable
to Period II (Tombs M4 and M5),
Period III (Tombs M1 and M3) and
Period IV (tomb M6) of the Erlitou
culture 二 里 頭 文 化 第 二 , 三 和 四 期 .
Among these, Tomb M4 from Period II
of Erlitou 二 里 頭 第 二 期 contained
several objects that greatly added to our
knowledge of the Xia 夏 , including a
small bronze ling 鈴 bell (81 YLVM 4:8)
8.5 cm high and a turquoise encrusted,
Plaque 81YLVM4:5
slightly arched bronze plaque 綠松石鑲
嵌青銅牌飾 (81YLVM 4:5) 14.2 cm long. When viewed from top to
bottom, the turquoise covering the plaque together with the bronze
filaments that separate the turquoise bits into sections form a sort of
taotie 饕餮 creature with large round protruding eyes and high, inwardly
curling horns on its head. Previous to this discovery, such objects had
been seen in private western collections but, out of ignorance and for
lack of clear archaeological evidence, had been attributed to later Chinese
historical periods.

Plaque M11:7 Jia 斝 M9:1

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