earticle

영어

Based on evidences from historical documents (including mythology and legend) and archaeological findings (musical instruments and other artifacts), this paper discusses the ritual element in prehistoric music of China, and the connection between archaeology and historiography. Classical texts such as Shanhaijing, Shangshu, and Lüshi chunqiu describe the importance of ritual in the performances of music and dance. These descriptions, when combined with visual images from archaeological findings of painted pottery decorated with dancers’ images in Qinghai and other places, rock paintings in Yunnan, and musical instruments of the Neolithic Age of the Jiahu and Taosi cultures, underline the importance of ritual in prehistoric music of China. The role and meaning of ritual in prehistoric music of China can thus be constructed by analyzing historical documents in conjunction with archaeological findings within their cultural-historical contexts.