春秋時代 青銅四足盖盒
2002年山亭區東江遺址3號墓出土
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長方體，頂部有兩扇可開的小蓋，以對面的臥虎和蹲獸為蓋鈕。四壁中部各附一顧首向上伏獸，平底。鏤空圈足，正、背面的足部兩端飾半裸人。上蓋及四壁飾夔紋，底外部有稜形格紋。
出土時，內有玉挖耳勺，玉玦等玉器。
這種方盒形銅器較為少見，迄今所見共十幾件，他們都有幾個共同特點：器身較小巧均為長方體；設計精緻，一般有人形或獸形蓋鈕；器足形制多樣，有裸人形、獸形、車輪形。
考古發現的這些銅方盒形器物，它們的主人，性別明確的都是貴族女性，而且有的出土時還裝有首飾，可知這類器物應該是當時貴族女性所用的首飾盒。
山東博物院、山西博物院、中國國家博物館均有收藏同款方盒，基本認定為化妝盒。
周代貴族隨葬險銅器一般為禮器、兵器和車馬器，像這種不合禮制的個性器物出現在陪葬品之列，讓我們看到在禮制嚴格、男權至上的周代社會，貴族女性仍然在社會生活中扮演著重要角色。像陳芳妹所指出的那樣：“似乎西周晚期到春秋早期，青銅器的女性使用成規束縛的力量較少，又可能因性別差異的不同需求，為規格化的器制。“東江遺址位於棗莊市山亭區山城街道辦事處東江村，東南距棗莊市約28公里，東北距山亭區約10公里，西北距東江村約200米。西南為新石器時代、漢代，東南台地主要是小邾國貴族故城和小邾國貴族墓地。
小邾國（約公元前798年一公元前260年），是春秋戰國時期地處齊、魯、宋、楚等大國之間的一個諸侯國，只有在《春秋》、《左傳》等古籍中略有記載。武王滅商後分封諸侯國“邾”。
周宣王時期，為削弱各諸侯國的勢力，借邾國第七代國君夷父顏有功於周室，大約在公元前798年，封其次子友父於郳，因從邾國分出，後人又稱其為“小邾國”。
小邾國歷經西周、春秋和戰國，延續500餘年，共襲傳約15代國君，約在公元前260年前後被楚國所滅。
據史籍記載：小邾國時期，其疆域大體範圍為現在的山亭區全部，東達蒼山縣西部，北達平邑縣、費縣南緣，西達滕州市中部，南達嶧城區，南北長約155公里，東西寬約45公里。
在500餘年的歷史發展進程中，小邾國湧現出墨子、左丘明、魯班等著名人物。
2002年夏，文物部門在山亭東江搶救性發掘了小邾國的六座貴族墓葬，出土文物233件，其中青銅器203件，24件有銘文。對出土文物的研究，為顏氏、倪氏的尋宗提供了可靠的實物資料。
2003年5-8月，對小邾國貴族墓地進行全面考古勘探中，在墓地的西、北發現了土築城牆遺跡，初步證實了春秋早期小國貴族墓地和早期都城所在。
小邾國及其文物常見問題解答
小邾國是什麼？它存在的時間是多久？
小邾國是一個存在於西周、春秋和戰國時期的小型諸侯國（大約公元前798年－公元前260年）。它位於齊、魯、宋、楚等大國之間，歷史資料較為稀少，主要出現在《春秋》和《左傳》等古籍中。
小邾國位於哪裡？
小邾國的疆域大致涵蓋今天中國山東省棗莊市山亭區的地區。它東達蒼山縣，北達平邑縣和費縣南緣，西達滕州市中部，南達嶧城區，南北長約155公里，東西寬約45公里。
與小邾國有關的著名人物有哪些？
儘管小邾國是一個小國，但仍然出現了幾位有影響力的人物，包括哲學家墨子、史學家左丘明（傳統上被認為是《左傳》的作者）以及工匠魯班。
在小邾國遺址上有什麼重要的考古發現？
2002年在東江遺址進行的搶救性發掘中，出土了六座小邾國的貴族墓葬，發現了233件文物，其中包括203件青銅器，24件有銘文。2003年進行的全面考古勘探揭示了土築城牆的遺跡，幫助確定了小邾國早期都城及墓地的位置。
在小邾國墓葬中發現的銅方盒有什麼特點？
這些銅方盒比較罕見，目前所知的僅有幾十件。它們通常體積小巧，形狀為長方體，設計精緻，蓋鈕常以動物或人形為造型，且足部形狀多樣，有人形、獸形或車輪形等。
銅方盒的用途是什麼？
考古證據表明，這些銅方盒主要是貴族女性用來存放首飾的盒子。這一推測來自於發掘中發現的首飾，如玉挖耳勺和玉玦等，這些物品被放置在這些盒子裡。
銅方盒的存在揭示了什麼關於小邾國女性的社會角色？
在貴族女性墓葬中發現類似首飾盒等個人化物品，表明她們在社會中扮演著重要角色，儘管周朝社會存在嚴格的禮制和男權主義。這些個性化的、非 ritual 的物品顯示出女性在當時社會中可能擁有一定的自主性和個人表達空間。
小邾國遺址出土的文物如何幫助我們理解這個國家的歷史？
這些文物，特別是帶銘文的青銅器，為研究如顏氏、倪氏等家族的族譜提供了可靠的實物資料。城市牆的發現有助於繪製小邾國早期都城的地理分布和結構。總的來說，這些文物豐富了我們對這個在中國歷史上較為模糊的小國在文化、社會和政治方面的理解。
This rectangular box has two small hinged lids on the top, with the lid knobs shaped as a reclining tiger and a crouching beast. Each of the four sides features a beast with its head facing upward in a crouched position, and the bottom is flat. The base has hollowed-out ring feet, and both ends of the feet on the front and back are decorated with semi-nude human figures. The upper lid and four walls are adorned with kui patterns, and the outer base is decorated with angular geometric patterns.
Inside the box, artifacts such as a jade ear scoop and jade bi are found.
This type of rectangular bronze box is relatively rare, with only a few dozen examples known to date. They share several common features: compact size, rectangular shape, exquisite design, typically with human or animal-shaped lid knobs, and a variety of foot shapes, including human, animal, and wheel shapes.
Archaeological discoveries suggest that these bronze boxes were used by noblewomen, as they often contained jewelry upon excavation. This implies that the boxes were likely used as jewelry cases by women of the nobility. In contrast, bronzes buried with nobility during the Zhou dynasty typically consisted of ritual vessels, weapons, and chariot fittings. The inclusion of such personal and distinct objects in burials suggests that even in the strictly hierarchical and male-dominated Zhou society, noblewomen still played important roles in social life. As noted by Chen Fangmei, "It seems that from the late Western Zhou to the early Spring and Autumn period, the restrictions on the use of bronze by women were lessened, possibly due to differing needs based on gender, leading to less standardized forms in certain objects."
The Dongjiang site is located in Dongjiang Village, Shancheng Street, Shanting District, Zao Zhuang City, approximately 28 kilometers southeast of Zao Zhuang City, 10 kilometers northeast of Shanting District, and about 200 meters northwest of Dongjiang Village. To the southwest, there are relics from the Neolithic and Han periods, while the southeast plateau is home to the ruins of the noble city of the small Zhu state and its aristocratic tombs.
The Xiao Zhu state (c. 798 BCE – 260 BCE), located between powerful states such as Qi, Lu, Song, and Chu during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, is mentioned only briefly in ancient texts like the Spring and Autumn Annals and Zuo’s Commentary. After King Wu of Zhou destroyed the Shang dynasty, the Zhou royal family established feudal states, including Zhu. To weaken the power of other states, King Xuan of Zhou, around 798 BCE, granted the seventh generation ruler of Zhu, Yi Fu Yan, the fief of Ni, which eventually became known as the Xiao Zhu state.
The Xiao Zhu state lasted over 500 years, through the Western Zhou, Spring and Autumn, and Warring States periods, with approximately 15 generations of rulers, until its eventual conquest by Chu around 260 BCE. According to historical records, during the Xiao Zhu period, the state’s borders spanned much of present-day Shanting District, extending east to Cangshan County, north to the southern edge of Pingyi County and Fei County, west to central Tengzhou, and south to Yicheng District. The state’s territory stretched approximately 155 kilometers north to south and 45 kilometers east to west.
Throughout its history, the Xiao Zhu state produced prominent figures such as Mozi, Zuo Qiuming, and Lu Ban.
In the summer of 2002, rescue excavations at the Dongjiang site uncovered six noble tombs from the Xiao Zhu state, yielding 233 artifacts, including 203 bronzes, 24 of which were inscribed. Research into these artifacts has provided reliable material for the genealogical studies of the Yan and Ni families.
In May–August 2003, a comprehensive archaeological survey of the Xiao Zhu noble tombs revealed remnants of earth-built city walls in the west and north, confirming the location of the early tombs and the early capital city of the state.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Xiao Zhu State and its Artifacts
1. What was the Xiao Zhu State, and when did it exist?
The Xiao Zhu State was a small vassal state existing during the Western Zhou, Spring and Autumn, and Warring States periods (approximately 798 BCE - 260 BCE). Located between larger and more powerful states like Qi, Lu, Song, and Chu, its history is sparsely documented, mainly appearing in texts such as the Spring and Autumn Annals and Zuo's Commentary.
2. Where was the Xiao Zhu State located?
The Xiao Zhu State's territory roughly encompassed the area of present-day Shanting District in Zao Zhuang City, Shandong Province, China. It extended east to Cangshan County, north to the southern edges of Pingyi and Fei Counties, west to central Tengzhou, and south to Yicheng District, spanning about 155 kilometers north to south and 45 kilometers east to west.
3. What are some notable figures associated with the Xiao Zhu State?
Despite being a small state, Xiao Zhu produced some influential figures, including the philosopher Mozi, the historian Zuo Qiuming (traditionally credited with authorship of the Zuo Commentary), and the artisan Lu Ban.
4. What significant archaeological discoveries have been made at the Xiao Zhu State sites?
Rescue excavations in 2002 at the Dongjiang site uncovered six noble tombs belonging to the Xiao Zhu State, yielding 233 artifacts, including 203 bronze items, 24 of which were inscribed. Further surveys in 2003 revealed remnants of earth-built city walls, helping to confirm the location of the early capital and tombs.
5. What is unique about the bronze rectangular boxes found in Xiao Zhu tombs?
These bronze rectangular boxes are relatively rare, with only a few dozen examples known. They are typically small, rectangular, and exquisitely designed, often featuring animal or human-shaped knobs on the lids and diverse foot shapes, such as human, animal, or wheel forms.
6. What was the purpose of the bronze rectangular boxes?
Archaeological evidence suggests these boxes were primarily used by noblewomen as jewelry cases. This inference is based on the discovery of jewelry, such as jade ear scoops and bi discs, inside these boxes during excavations.
7. What does the presence of jewelry boxes reveal about women's roles in Xiao Zhu society?
The inclusion of personal items like jewelry boxes in the tombs of noblewomen suggests that they held a significant position in society, even within the strictly hierarchical and patriarchal Zhou dynasty. The presence of individualized, non-ritual items indicates a degree of autonomy and personal expression for these women.
8. How do the artifacts found at Xiao Zhu sites contribute to our understanding of its history?
The artifacts, especially the inscribed bronzes, provide valuable material evidence for studying the genealogy of clans such as the Yan and Ni families. The discovery of city walls also helps to map the location and structure of Xiao Zhu's early capital. The artifacts, in general, enrich our understanding of the cultural, social, and political aspects of a relatively obscure state during a pivotal period of Chinese history.
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