Liu Yifang..........................................74 

Research on the Restoration of the Urban Form of Zhengzhou during the Tang and Song Dynasties 

Abstract：The Tang and Song dynasties were pivotal stages in the urban reconstruction of Zhengzhou, tracing back to the early Shang period. This paper comprehensively reconstructs the urban layout of Zhengzhou during these dynasties by examining four key aspects: the structure of the city wall, the road network and city gates, the division of urban areas, and the public buildings and spaces. The urban form adapted to the inner city of Zhengzhou Shang City and aligned with the regional urban planning represented by the Lifang system of the time. Zhengzhou in the Tang and Song dynasties featured a district plan centered on Cross Street, alongside a sub-city focused around the government office. This case exemplifies the characteristics of local cities during the Tang and Song periods and holds significant value for understanding the evolution of urban forms in both ancient and modern Zhengzhou.

LIU Fenghua.........................................84 

A Study of A Newly Discovered Title“母辛”in Liwu Group on Yinxu Oracle Bones 

Abstract：The Liwu Group serves as a bridge between the Li Group and the nameless Group. It is a subclass of the nameless Group first identified by Mr. Lin Yun. Traditionally, this category has only included the titles “父丁”（Father Ding）,“母壬”（Mother Ren）,“兄己”（Elder Brother Ji）,“兄庚”（Elder Brother Geng）, and“毓祖乙”（Yu Zu Yi）. Recently, during the exhibition of the oracle bone Shan 6 at the National Library, the author discovered a new title,“母辛”（Mother Xin）, on it. Uniquely, this bone bears three titles:“父丁,” “母辛,”and“毓祖乙,”which significantly clarifies the chronological placement of this group. Currently, there are 71 oracle bones inscribed with the title“母辛,”mostly addressed by her sons, King 祖庚（Zu Geng）and King 祖甲（Zu Jia）. Among these bones, Oracle Bone Inscriptions 32754 exhibits character styles similar to the Wuyi Group, suggesting the scribe may have lived across two dynasties. Based on its unique attributes, character style, and grammatical patterns, we assess that Zhixu 77 is likely a forgery and should not be considered reliable research material.

Huang Yifei...........................................92 

A Study on the Binli Ritual of the Shang and Zhou Dynasties 

Abstract：The bin ritual is a type of guest ritual, where the host offers a ceremonial reception to the envoys of the Son of Heaven（king, queen, feudal lords, or high ministers）in the manner of a guest. The bin rituals recorded in late Shang and Western Zhou bronze inscriptions are rich in content, showing variations in the ceremonial objects used over time. These rituals served as the source for the bin rituals described in the Yili （The Book of Etiquette and Ceremonies）. The ceremonial objects of the bin ritual underwent significant changes during the reign of King Mu of Zhou, reflecting the reforms in the Zhou ceremonial system. In the Western Zhou period, the bin ritual often involved a“two-offering”ceremony, whereas the Yili standardizes it as a“single-offering”ritual.

Liu Yixin.................................................100 

Re-exploring the Meaning of the“Ya”Inscription in the Western Zhou Period 

Abstract：The interpretation of the character Ya in oracle bone and bronze inscriptions from the Shang and Zhou dynasties has long been a subject of scholarly debate. However, most previous research has focused on the Shang period, with insufficient attention given to systematically categorizing and staging its usage during the Western Zhou period. The notion of“patriarchal relationships”reflected in the Ya inscriptions spans both the Yin and Zhou dynasties. In the early Western Zhou period, the primary users of bronze vessels bearing the compound ethnic emblem and inscriptions featuring the Ya character were descendants of the Yin, reflecting patterns of migration and dispersion. Over time, the Ya compound emblem inscriptions became more complex and generalized, coinciding with the decline of Yin emblematic features and personal names in bronze inscriptions. The appearance of Ya and Yaqie in middle and late Western Zhou bronze inscriptions signals the Zhou’s restructuring of patriarchal relations, exemplified by the“relocation after five generations” principle.

Niu Yifan.............................................112 

A Study on the Pig-Shaped Rain God in Han Tomb Murals 

Abstract：In 2003, a large mural tomb from the Xin period was discovered in Yintun, Luoyang, Henan Province. On the northeast slope of the ceiling in the central chamber, there is a unique depiction of a deity riding a two-headed conjoined pig. The features of the two-headed pig in the mural correspond to the ancient Chinese legend of“Bingfeng.”In ancient beliefs,“Bingfeng”was revered not only as a god of fertility but also as a rain deity. The pig’s strong reproductive capabilities and its association with rain forecasting form the basis for its identification as the rain god. The placement of the two-headed pig mural aligns with the Han Dynasty’s traditional orientation for rain god worship, and its depiction alongside a thunder god suggests a symbolic connection between thunder and rain, in line with the meteorological imagery of“thunder accompanying rain.”Therefore, the two-headed pig in this tomb mural represents the legendary pig-shaped rain god from ancient Chinese mythology-Bingfeng.

Wei Jiali.................................................118 

An Examination of the Feathered Man Imagery in the Hexi Region during the Wei, Jin, and Sixteen Kingdoms Period 

Abstract：The feathered figure, as a popular decorative motif during the Han, Wei, and Northern and Southern Dynasties, is commonly found in various cultural artifacts. In the Hexi region, feathered figures emerged during the late Eastern Han period and continued through the Sixteen Kingdoms. Over time, these figures evolved from traditional Han-style depictions to more secular representations of ordinary people, with themes shifting from horseback riding and animal performances to running and flying. The appearance of anthropomorphized feathered figures in the Hexi region occurred early and is relatively abundant, with distinct regional characteristics and evolutionary patterns that directly influenced the early feathered figures of the Northern Wei. During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, this led to the formation of a diverse array of feathered figures, characterized by anthropomorphism, in both the Southern and Northern styles, reflecting the exchange and integration of burial imagery and artistic representations across different regions.

Huang Qingxing and Shen Lihua...................126 

A Study on Hollow Bricks with Images from the Eastern Wei and Northern Qi Periods 

Abstract：In recent excavations of sites in the Ye City and Jinyang regions, several fragments of hollow bricks featuring images from the Eastern Wei and Northern Qi periods have been uncovered. These bricks can be categorized into two types based on their shapes: flat rectangular hollow bricks and cylindrical hollow bricks, with slight variations in their dimensions. Microscopic observations of the hollow bricks excavated from the Ye City area suggest insights into their manufacturing techniques and imprinting processes. First, the hollow brick blanks were created using a groove adhesion method. Second, during the imprinting of images, a small mold pressing technique was employed, using wooden molds carved with various methods, including intaglio, relief, and incised lines. Third, the imprinting process generally followed a sequence of applying the border decorations first, followed by the main motifs; some cylindrical hollow bricks with lotus designs exhibited a“post-composite pattern”through adjustments in the imprinting order and pressure. Building on this foundation, the decorative combinations of the various hollow bricks have been reconstructed. The hollow bricks from the Ye City and Jinyang regions display a high degree of similarity while also showcasing unique characteristics. Historical records indicate that these image-embossed hollow bricks were produced primarily in the early years of the Eastern Wei and Northern Qi. The flat rectangular image hollow bricks were mainly used for steps in high-status buildings, while the cylindrical hollow bricks likely served as posts for railings.

Yao Zhihui et al. .............................................138 

Experimental Study of the Distiller Unearthed from the Haihun Marquis Tomb

Abstract：This paper analyzes the use and distillation target of the bronze distiller unearthed from the Haihun Marquis tomb, concluding that the artifact was used for alcohol distillation. To verify this hypothesis, we conducted replication and simulation experiments with the artifact. The experimental results indicate that the apparatus can produce distilled alcohol with over 20% ABV (alcohol by volume), whether distilling on the grate or in the cauldron, with distillation efficiency exceeding 70% . The experimental research not only confirms that the artifact could function as a distiller for alcoholic beverages but also suggests that distilled alcohol appeared in China as early as the Western Han Dynasty.