Archaeological survey in Shandong province, China, has revealed some on-the-ground evidence of the historic movements of Qin dynasty emperor Shihuangdi. Shihuangdi (ruled 221-210 BC) is best known for his army of terracotta soldiers, but also for being the first to unite much of the landmass that today makes up China.
Imperial Tours of Shihuangdi (220-219 BC). Map drawn by Yu Ninjie
According to historical records of the time, the last chunk that Shihuangdi conquered during his brief reign was the Qi state. Some 1000 kilometers east of the emperor's capital city at Xianyang, the Qi state was located in an advantageous spot along the beautiful Shandong coast of China. There, according to the historic "Annals of the Qin Shihuandi Benji" in the Shi Ji, the emperor climbed Langya mountain and was so delighted with the area that he ordered 30,000 households (~150,000 people) to colonize the valley. In return, he promised them 12 years tax-free living.
Although the Qin emperor's reign was short (Qin's rule lapsed before the 12-year tax-free period did), the political control he established over the Shandong coast outlived him, and the subsequent Han dynasty (206 BC-220 AD) rulers established sea salt and iron trading centers on the coast.
Evidence of Shihuangdi's Settlement
Archaeological evidence supporting a massive movement of Qin- and Han-dynasty colonists into the Shandong coast was identified during the multi-year, multi-national survey of Shandong provinces co-directed by Gary Feinman of Chicago's Field Museum. The decade-long systematic survey project has documented thousands of sites, dated as early as the Neolithic period. Within the area near Langya mountain, the research identified several large Han dynasty centers spaced along the coastline. Today more than 25 modern towns and villages occupy the area once occupied by the estimated 170,000 Han and Qin subjects.
The large Han era settlement lies near the previously recorded rammed-earth tombs at Leishi, the largest Han Dynasty tombs in the region. A huge multi-level platform was constructed at the top of Lang Ya mountain, perched on several rammed earth tiers supported by corners of cut stone walls or bricks.
This research method producing historical population data out of archaeological survey in China is only the latest in an under-sung research methodology, one that has been actively used in archaeological research since the mid-twentieth century. The method—which involves no excavation, but instead relies on mapping surface structures and plotting densities of artifacts across vast areas—continues to be a fruitful method of archaeological research, if little known outside the profession.
Sources and Further Information
The report on evidence of Shihuangdi's reign is reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences' early edition, published March 1.
- Exploring the Archaeology of Shandong China
- Shi Ji
- Terracotta Army of Shihuangdi, a bit more history
- Emperor Qin's Terracotta Army (Photo Essay)
- Qin Dynasty
Shandong Survey Project bibliography
A few of the publications which are derived from the survey in northern China, conducted by the Field Museum and the University of Shandong.
Crawford, G., et al. 2005 Late Neolithic Plant Remains from Northern China: Preliminary Results from Liangchengzhen, Shandong. Current Anthropology 46(2):309-317.
Fang, Hui, et al. 2004 Settlement pattern survey in the Rizaho area: A preliminary effort to consider Han and Pre-Han demography. Indo-Pacific Prehistory Association Bulletin 24:79-82. Free download
Feinman, G. M., L. M. Nicholas and Fang Hui 2010 The imprint of China's first emperor on the distant realm of eastern Shandong. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences early edition.
Underhill, A. P.,et al. 1998 Systematic, regional survey in southeast Shandong province, China. Journal of Field Archaeology 25(4):453-474.
Underhill, A. P., et al. 2002 Regional Survey and the Development of Complex Societies in Southeastern Shandong, China. Antiquity 76:745-755.
Underhill, A. P., et al. 2008 Changes in regional settlement patterns and the development of complex societies in southeastern Shandong, China. Journal of Anthropological Archaeology 27(1):1-29.
Comments
This passage is fascinating! I want to go to school for archaeology and this got me more interested in Chinese history. Thanks!