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MAIASP. 2021. No. 13
P.I. Shulga (Novosibirsk, Russia), D.P. Shulga
(Novosibirsk, Russia)
New materials on
sacrificial animals in Yanglang Culture burials of the 5th — 3rd cc. BCE (China)
DOI: 10.53737/2713-2021.2021.93.37.011
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Pages: 453—466
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This
article focuses on the analysis of the sacrificial animals remains in burials
of the 5th — 3rd ññ. BCE of the Yanglang
Culture Wangdahu burial ground identified with the Western Rongs who lived on
the Qin kingdom western borders. As a rule, Eurasia Cattle breeders placed
one or two parts or livestock carcasses in ordinary burials. In contrast to
them, in the Yanglang Culture in one person
ordinary burial up to 30, 50 or more skulls of all major livestock species
(horses, cattle, sheep and goats) could be placed. In the analysis of
sacrificial animals from the Yanglang Culture
burial grounds detailed description, the authors came to
the conclusion that in a number of burials the composition of animal
species and their ratio fully correspond to the Central
Asia nomads’ herd averaged data. Apparently, the burial grounds
organizers were sent real herd to the other world
with the dead people or recruited animals for slaughter keeping the
proportions known to them. The proportion of horses is much higher in the
chariot warriors` burials which is associated with
the deceased special status. As it turned out, even 1—3 years old children
could have such status during burial in Wangdahu.
Foals and votive weapons full set were placed in
such burials. All of this suggests the chariot warrior’s high status which was established in the funeral rite. The
maintenance and training of chariot horses large
number, the horses and chariot warriors equipment manufacturing required the
state structures participation. It is no coincidence that
the number of chariots served as a state power yardstick in ancient China.
All these preliminary observations and conclusions are consistent with
indirect information from Chinese historical sources about the developed
horse breeding among the Western Rongs,
their special relationship with the Qin kingdom and possibly the early state
formation existence among them.
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Key words: Northern China, Scythian time, Yanglang
Culture, Western rong, burial rite, sacrificial
animals, nomads’ herd composition, burials of chariot warriors.
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