湖南出土滑石猪的考古学观察.

The talc pigs buried in ancient tombs in Hunan province appeared early in large quantities. Its distribution covered the Xiang River, Yuan River and Li River basins, which was popular from the early Western Han dynasty to the Sui and Tang dynasties. There were basically two modes, the realistic style and abstract style, with each period having its own characteristics and evolution. The background and significance of its popularity in Hunan are based in three aspects. Firstly, the accelerated process of local iron tool usage and the progress of the mining and handicrafts industries provided favorable conditions for large-scale exploitation of talc mine and extensive production of talc artifacts. Secondly, the recovery of social economy and the development of pig farming since the Western Han Dynasty promoted the emergence and spread of the pig -shaped pottery. Thirdly, the inheritance and change of the custom of burying pigs and the faith of pig worship since ancient times gave rich and diverse funeral meanings to the talc pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]