Unearthed : recent archaeological discoveries from northern China / Annette Juliano ; with an essay by An Jiayao.

Published on the occasion of an exhibition of the same name at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, June 16 to Oct. 21, 2012.
Pref. and exhibition captions also in Chinese.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Chronology -- Map : the Silk Road and Clark Expedition routes -- Crossing Northern China -- Unearthed : the exhibition -- Burying the dead in China -- Tomb form and function : late 5th to early 10 Century -- The Northern Wei tomb of Song Shaozu, Shanxi Province -- Map : Shanxi Province -- The Norther Qi tomb of Lou Rui, Shanxi Province -- A Northern Qi stone Buddhist stele -- Tang-Dynasty tombs in context -- Map : Eastern Gansu Province -- A Tang tomb at Fujiagou Village, Lingtai County, Gansu -- The Five Dynasties Stone Buddhist Reliquary -- Exhibition plates -- The development of archaeology in China : a ninety-year journey -- The birth of archaeology in China, 1921-49 -- Chinese archaeology's rapid development, 1950-66 -- Archaeology during the Cultural Revolution, 1966-76 -- Economic reforms open a new era in archaeology, 1977-2000 -- Making archaeology accessible to the public, 2001-12 -- Current issues and future challenges / An Jiayao.

In recent decades archaeological discoveries across northern China have brought to light unexpected and significant works of extraordinary beauty. These artifacts express the dynamic changes taking place in this region from the fifth to eleventh century, helping to redefine our understanding of ancient Chinese cultures. Unearthed showcases recently excavated artifacts from Shanxi and Gansu provinces, many of which have never been exhibited outside China. These objects range from fantastical tomb guardian-beasts, to luxury goods reflecting the lucrative "Silk Road" trade, to objects designed for religious or ritual purposes, to a magnificent stone sarcophagus in the shape of a traditional Chinese house. Detailed essays discuss tradition and innovation in Chinese art; China's interactions with the outside world through trade and invasion; artistic techniques and styles; and cultural traditions.