殷墟使用朱砂情况的考察

与史前、夏及早商时期一样,朱砂在殷墟文化时期的北方仍是较为稀缺的资源,只存在于规格较高的考古遗存中。通过对安阳殷墟及其他同时期情况进行分析,朱砂的使用从殷墟早期到晚期呈上升趋势。依据使用场合的不同,可分为朱砂葬、朱砂祭祀坑和朱书文字三类。朱砂葬是朱砂使用情况中最为常见的一种。本文通过对殷墟西区、大司空、孝民屯、徐家桥和侯家庄王陵区墓地的朱砂葬进行分析,发现晚商时期只有高等级贵族才有资格使用朱砂。从其使用情况推测,晚商时期朱砂在丧葬活动中的礼仪功能是主要的,用以体现死者的身份等级,同时或具有辟邪的功能。殷墟朱砂的来源,最大可能性仍然是以贵州为中心的我国西南地区,不过特定时期也可能采用了来自陕西秦岭一带的资源。

An investigation of cinnabar at Yinxu

Cinnabar made a rare resource in north China during the Yinxu period, which could only be found in the context of high culture. The use of cinnabar, in general, increased from the early to the late period of the Yinxu Culture. Cinnabar remains were employed in three categories of contexts, including burials,sacrificial pits and writing. Cinnabar burials were most popular at Yinxu. Based on a comparative study of cinnabar burials from Yinxu Xiqu, Dasikong, Xiaomintun, Xujiaqiao localities and the Houjiazhuang royal cemetery, the authors have concluded that only high elites could use cinnabar in their burials. Protecting against evil spirits and being a status symbol should have made cinnabar’s main functions during late Shang period, especially in the context of funeral and sacrifices ceremonies. It is most likely that cinnabar was originally obtained in southwestern China, centering Guizhou Province. Nevertheless, another possible cinnabar source could have been in the Qinling Mountains in Shaanxi Province.