Arch217 Lecture 13: China

During the Neolithic Period in China, there was a great variety of house forms depending on the climate and environment.

Yangshao Pottery -- Neolithic China

The Yanshao culture produced highly developed ceramics as well as a variety of houses, including cave houses and thatched timber houses.

Neolithic Village -- Banpo

Banpo is the largest known Neolithic village site in China and represents the Yangshao culture. The entire village was surrounded by a ditch about 5-6m deep.

Round house, Neolithic Village -- Banpo

At Banpo, both circular and square houses were common. Both had a central fire pit or hearth at the center and a wall/roof structure of timber and straw.

Round house, Neolithic Village -- Banpo

At Banpo, both circular and square houses were common. Both had a central fire pit or hearth at the center and a wall/roof structure of timber and straw.

Square house, Neolithic Village -- Banpo

Bronze Age China: Shang Dynasty

Oracle bone -- Shang Dynasty

The oracle bone is inscribed with writing that is a precursor to modern Chinese. Religion was concerned with foretelling the future, as well as with ancestors, local spirits, and deities.

Palace Complex -- Fengchu, China

As the smaller communities of the Neolithic Age gave way to the cities of the Three Dynasties period, architecture grew in scale and complexity. Note the symmetry, axiality, sequence of spaces, and raised platforms.

Palace Complex -- Fengchu, China

As the smaller communities of the Neolithic Age gave way to the cities of the Three Dynasties period, architecture grew in scale and complexity. Note the symmetry, axiality, sequence of spaces, and raised platforms.

Shang Dynasty utilized rammed-earth construction

Rituals of Zhou -- Zhou Dynasty

Description of "ruler's city". Excerpt: "The master craftsman constructs the state capital. He makes a square nine li on each side; each side has three gates."

Confucianism sought the improvement of society through the perfection of the individual.

Chinese rulers served under the "mandate of heaven". The conduct of a ruler determined whether he received and maintained the right to rule; unjust rulers would lose the mandate, leading to their loss of power.

In contrast to the social orientation of Confucianism, Daoism (Taoism) looked to nature for truth and reality. Daoists sought to connect inner character or being to the creative force of the way of nature (chi or qi).

Daoists seek a harmonious union of the yin and yang, a balance and accommodation of complementary qualities.

After the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, a large part of modern-day China was conquered by Qin Shi Huangdi, the first emperor of a unified China.

The Qin Dynasty was short lived, but the following Han Dynasty become one of the greatest ages of Chinese culture.

The Qin Dynasty

In addition to creating his capital city, the Qin emperor devoted considerable resources to expanding the Great Wall along his empire's northern and western frontiers.

Tomb of Qin Shi Huangdi -- Shaanxi Province

The Qin emperor created a colossal tomb complex that mirrored the layout of his capital city.

Tomb of Qin Shi Huangdi -- Shaanxi Province

The Qin emperor created a colossal tomb complex that mirrored the layout of his capital city.

Tomb of Qin Shi Huangdi -- Shaanxi Province

Thousands of full-size clay warriors, horses, and other artifacts were buried to represent the emperor's army.

Tomb of Qin Shi Huangdi -- Shaanxi Province

Thousands of full-size clay warriors, horses, and other artifacts were buried to represent the emperor's army.

Tomb of Qin Shi Huangdi -- Shaanxi Province

Tomb of Qin Shi Huangdi -- Shaanxi Province

The Han Dynasty is seen as one of the great ages in Chinese history. The Han rulers expanded their territory to the south and to the west, where they helped establish the Silk Road trading route.

Chang'an, China -- Han Capital

Each dynasty built its own capital. The Han capital was composed mainly of five palace complexes; there were also markets, government offices, and arsenals.

Typical residents lived outside the city walls.

House model -- Han Dynasty

The architecture of the Han Dynasty continued earlier practices, and buildings became more complex and sophisticated. Much of what we know is derived from fire clay models; these show the basic planning, materials, and structural systems.

House model -- Han Dynasty

The architecture of the Han Dynasty continued earlier practices, and buildings became more complex and sophisticated. Much of what we know is derived from fire clay models; these show the basic planning, materials, and structural systems.

Tower Model -- Han Dynasty

Buddhism first came to China from the west after it moved westwards from India. As it spread, Mahayan Buddhism incorporated ideas, images, and architecture from local cultures.

Buddhism was first introduced into China through the Silk Road in the first century. In the century of conflict after the ending of the Han dynasty, Buddhism gained many followers.

Colossal Buddha -- Bamiyan, Afghanistan

Grottoes -- Mogao, China

Along the Silk Road in western China, this site was built over 1000 years, supported by merchants who traded along these routes. This and other sites served as conduits for the introduction and transformation of Buddha.

Grottoes -- Mogao, China

Along the Silk Road in western China, this site was built over 1000 years, supported by merchants who traded along these routes. This and other sites served as conduits for the introduction and transformation of Buddha.

Grottoes -- Mogao, China

This was a cosmopolitan area where people from many different cultures intermingled. The Buddhist art that developed here shows influence from Indian and Central Asian art.

Grottoes -- Mogao, China

This was a cosmopolitan area where people from many different cultures intermingled. The Buddhist art that developed here shows influence from Indian and Central Asian art.

Grottoes -- Mogao, China

Caves were carved into the cliff, with wooden facades erected for protection and decoration.

Cave 290 -- Mogao, China

The central image shows a seated Buddha flanked by attendants. The wall and ceiling paintings include apsaras (flying celestial figures) and scenes from the life of the historical Buddha.

By this time, Buddhist images have become distinctly Chinese; the influences from other cultures have been digested and incorporated into a unique lifestyle.

The Pagoda

The India stupa encounters the timber technology of Chinese architecture and results in the pagoda.

Pagoda, Songyue Temple Mt. Sonong -- Dengfeng, China

This early pagoda of brick has 12 sides, perhaps as a synthesis of Chinese rectangular forms with Indian circles.

Pagoda, Songyue Temple Mt. Sonong -- Dengfeng, China

This early pagoda of brick has 12 sides, perhaps as a synthesis of Chinese rectangular forms with Indian circles.

Established its capital at Chang'an, near the older Han capital. This was the largest capital to date, and probably the largest city in the world at the time.

Along with the Han Dynasty, the Tang Dynasty is seen as one of China's golden ages; culturally, politically, and economically, China prospered.

The Tang Dynasty

"kind of like a mullet" - Don Choi

Chang'an -- Tang Dynasty

Compare to Zhou Dynasty ideal capital: rectangular gridded city. Center of city is farther in the back.

Administrative City and Daming Palace -- Chang'an, Tang Dynasty

The administrative city lay on the central axis south of the Imperial Palace. The Daming Palace was built to the northeast of the original palace on more suitable ground. The pink rectangle shows Hanyuan Hall.

Administrative City and Daming Palace -- Chang'an, Tang Dynasty

The administrative city lay on the central axis south of the Imperial Palace. The Daming Palace was built to the northeast of the original palace on more suitable ground. The pink rectangle shows Hanyuan Hall.

Hanyuan Hall, Daming Palace -- Chang'an, Tang Dynasty

This palace shows characteristics of elite Chinese architecture that persisted until modern times: tall platforms, flanking wings, symmetry, and axiality.

This was the site of grand imperial rites; behind it lay the major ritual courtyard of the Daming Palace complex.

Hanyuan Hall, Daming Palace -- Chang'an, Tang Dynasty

This palace shows characteristics of elite Chinese architecture that persisted until modern times: tall platforms, flanking wings, symmetry, and axiality.

This was the site of grand imperial rites; behind it lay the major ritual courtyard of the Daming Palace complex.

Typical duogong bracket system

Typical duogong bracket system

Dayan Ta Pagoda, Cien Temple -- Xian/Chang'an, Tang Dynasty

In Tang Buddhist temples, the pagoda was a dominant element. In later centuries, though, the pagoda was superseded by the worship hall as the central component.

Dayan Ta Pagoda, Cien Temple -- Xian/Chang'an, Tang Dynasty

In Tang Buddhist temples, the pagoda was a dominant element. In later centuries, though, the pagoda was superseded by the worship hall as the central component.

Cave 219, Mogao.

Painting of Buddhist monastery. Typical layout for a monastery; like palace complexes, monasteries generally were based on major halls flanked by wings and pavilions.

Main hall, Nanchan Monastery -- Shanxi Province

Although not one of the grandest complexes of the age, Nanchan contains one of the oldest extant wooden buildings in China.

Main hall, Nanchan Monastery -- Shanxi Province

Although not one of the grandest complexes of the age, Nanchan contains one of the oldest extant wooden buildings in China.

Main hall, Nanchan Monastery -- Shanxi Province

Note the post-and-beam structure, axial symmetry, and rectilinearity of the main hall. These are all characteristics of monumental Chinese architecture. Combined hip/gable roof symbolizes high status.

Main hall, Nanchan Monastery -- Shanxi Province

System of beams and verticals, no trusses. Different to a load-bearing wall system.