文博日历丨比甲骨文早800年 这个扁壶留下了4000年前的文字密码

Core Viewpoint - The discovery of a pottery vessel from the Tao Temple site, dating back over 4,000 years, reveals the early form of Chinese characters, specifically the character "文," indicating a developed system of written symbols in the Yellow River region prior to the Shang Dynasty [6][10]. Group 1: Archaeological Findings - The pottery vessel, known as the Zhu Shu flat pot, was unearthed in 1984 at the Tao Temple site in Shanxi, which is a common water-drawing ceramic [4]. - The vessel features a design with a bulging mouth and abdomen on one side and a flat or slightly concave surface on the other, facilitating water collection [4]. - It is handcrafted from gray pottery, showcasing the craftsmanship of the era [4]. Group 2: Written Characters - The pot bears two prominent characters written in vermilion, one of which resembles the character "文" from oracle bone script, confirming its identification as the character "文" [6]. - This character is dated to the late Tao Temple culture, approximately 800 years before the oracle bone inscriptions from the Yin ruins, indicating an early form of written communication [6][10]. - The second character on the pot remains undeciphered, consisting of a rounded shape with angles and a symbol resembling a kneeling figure [7]. Group 3: Historical Significance - Scholar Feng Shi suggests that the characters may refer to "文邑," a place mentioned in oracle bone inscriptions, indicating its significance in agricultural concerns during the Shang Dynasty [10]. - Archaeologist He Nu proposes that the second character could represent "尧," together forming "文尧," which correlates with the historical significance of the Tao Temple site as the capital of Yao [12]. - The findings at the Tao Temple site, including the flat pot and other artifacts, contribute to the understanding of early state formation and the complex cultural development in the Yellow River region [17]. Group 4: Cultural Impact - The Zhu Shu flat pot has been selected as a featured artifact on a special postage stamp issued on October 17, 2023, highlighting its importance in the narrative of Chinese civilization [19]. - The artifacts from the Tao Temple site provide insights into the daily lives and cultural practices of the ancient inhabitants, illustrating a rich historical tapestry [19].