Page 45 - Lungshan Pottery Lunshanoid Research 1977 Paper

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To determine the concept of culture and to determine

the methodology used in the classificatory systems pro-

posed for these Lungshanoid cultures are two of my original

research goals.

The methodology used in the traditional classifica-

tions of Lungshanoid sites has never been clearly dis-

cussed as yet. It appears that there are no unquestionable

or specific criteria to check how each site fits into

the general classification; sites are viewed only in a

very general way during the process of classification.

Different cultures were named after the original sites

in the various regions of South China. Consequently,

the sites geographically close to each other were easily

classified into the same group or culture phase. Although

they perhaps will deny that they have been overly arbitrary

in their decision-making, the archaeologists responsible

for this classification have used a rather high degree

of subjectivity. Not only the Ta-wen-k^u culture, the

Ch*u-chia-ling culture, the Ch'ing-lien-kang culture are

so treated, but also the most recent classification of

the Gb^ing-lien-kang culture into Chiang-pei, Chiang-nan

and their various stages was done with unclear:,criteria

or methodology (Wu 1 9 7 3 ) • In other words, although the