Description:
<jats:p>At last year's (1999) general meeting of the Nihon Shin Kan shi kenkyūkai <jats:inline-graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" mime-subtype="gif" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="S0362502800000717_inline1a" /> (Japanese Qin-Han History Research Group), cosponsored by the International Congress of Chinese Historical Studies, entitled “The World of Chinese (Qin-Han period) History: a system of integration and pluralistic development,”<jats:sup>1</jats:sup> TAKATSU Junya <jats:inline-graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" mime-subtype="gif" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="S0362502800000717_inline1b" />, TOMIYA Itaru <jats:inline-graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" mime-subtype="gif" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="S0362502800000717_inline1c" /> and DU Zhengsheng <jats:inline-graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" mime-subtype="gif" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="S0362502800000717_inline1d" /> presented lectures related to the theme of unification [192]. Mr. Du in particular was most conscientious of the “unification” theme, discussing the topic, “Ancient Chinese Pluralistic Society and the Surge towards Unification.”<jats:sup>2</jats:sup> Under this title he makes the following six points: 1) tracing the gradual process of expansion within the areas that were included in the concept of “Zhongguo” <jats:inline-graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" mime-subtype="gif" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="S0362502800000717_inline1e" /> according to the written historical materials; 2) examination and organization of the theories regarding how many cultural areas into which the Neolithic Age should be divided; 3) the signs of religion as seen in the archaeological materials in accordance with the phases of political development; 4) the distribution and interrelationships of walled settlements; 5) investigating the area of the Shang and Zhou courts’ influence through the style of bronze pieces and the distribution of burial goods; 6) inferences that can be made by comparing “<jats:italic>rishu</jats:italic>” <jats:inline-graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" mime-subtype="gif" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="S0362502800000717_inline1f" /><jats:inline-graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" mime-subtype="gif" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="S0362502800000717_inline1g" /> (almanacs) and cultural trends from the standpoint of social strata.</jats:p>