동아시아 문명의 기원에 있어서 東夷文化의 지위

Abstract

This paper explores new understanding of the origin of East Asian civilizations developed by archaeological achievements, especially focusing on changing perspectives on Dongyi 東夷 and their culture. From a traditional sinocentric perspective (huayiguan, 華夷觀) shown in written sources, Donyi culture had been recognized as backward one compared to Central Plain (zhongyuan, 中原)’s. From the historical paradigm of the Great Unity (dayitong, 大一統) shown in the Sima Qian 司馬遷’s Shiji 史記, Dongyi culture reflected in myth and legend had been included in the Central Plain culture under the unitary pedigree of five emperors (wudi, 五帝). However, recently, with works of archaeological studies such as Fu Sinian 傅斯年’s and Xu Xusheng 徐旭生’s, Huaxia 華夏–centered thought regarding the origin of East Asian civilizations has been re-examined and status of Dongyi groups and culture in ancient East Asia history has been reassessed. Moreover, the development process of Donyi culture, starting from Houli 后李 culture and developing to Beixin 北辛, Dawenkou 大汶口, Longshan 龍山, and Yueshi 岳石 culture, has proved that Dongyi culture had advanced with high levels of culture acumen and contributed to the formation of Central Plain culture. For example, Dongyi culture had advanced ceramic skills, bronze-making skills, and weaving skills and these had influenced on ancient culture and history. Not only that, pictorial characters of Donyi culture played a pivotal role in the formation of oracle bone script. This paper examines the status and contribution of Donyi culture by analyzing archaeological materials and the consistent developmental process of it in boundaries, succession relationships, and customs.