Archaeological Discovery of Gem and Jade Artifacts in Guangxi from Prehistoric to Han Dynasty and Its Indication to Regional Cultural Interaction

The culture of gems and jade is an important part of Chinese civilization. The archaeological discoveries of gems and jade relics are of great significance to reveal the evolution of regional civilization and cultural interaction. In recent years, with the progress of national and Lingnan archaeological work, there have been many new discoveries in the use of gems and jade in Lingnan area (including Guangxi), but the comprehensive research on the archaeological discoveries of gems and jade from prehistoric to Han Dynasty and the evolution and interaction of civilization in the region are still weak. Based on the investigation of new archaeological discoveries, this paper refers to the research results of predecessors and literature, and makes a comprehensive analysis of the source and cultural interaction of gemstones in Guangxi from prehistoric to Han Dynasty by means of double evidence method. The following understandings are obtained: (1) There are a variety of gems and jade relics unearthed produced from prehistoric to Han Dynasty in Guangxi. Among them, jades are the main part before Qin and Han dynasties. From the beginning of Qin and Han dynasties, a large number of gem materials such as glass, crystals, agates, beryls, garnets and precious metals have been appeared. The sources of materials are both local and foreign, which shows that Qin and Han dynasties are an important turning point in the evolution of Guangxi civilization and foreign exchange. (2) The gems and jade cultural relics unearthed in Guangxi not only have the local characteristics of Chinese culture in shape, technology and decoration, but also integrate and absorb the characteristics of the artifacts in other regions at that time (Some of these may have been directly from foreign countries). The gems and jade cultural relics unearthed in Guangxi strongly indicate the cultural exchanges and interactions between Guangxi and other regions in the prehistoric Qin and Han Dynasties.(3)Exchanges and collisions between diverse cultures have accelerated the process of the development of civilization in Guangxi. Compared with the influence of the bronze civilization of the Central Plains and Chu culture on the local culture of the prehistoric Guangxi region, the bronze civilization of the Central Plains and Chu culture has also had an important and profound impact on the local development and prosperity. The above characteristics show that the late Neolithic period in Guangxi began to have a complete and gradual process of civilization development, but its civilization process has strong internal relations with the Central Plains region, and also has its own distinct regional characteristics, which is an important part of the pluralistic integration of Chinese civilization.