Thesis (MA(Antieke Tale)--Universiteit van Pretoria, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references.

(M.A. (Bybelse Argeologie))

Based on the geographical distribution of the unearthed musical instruments and their archaeo-cultural considerations, I first examine musical cultures of the Shang and Zhou dynasties in the seven-regions of Central Plain, Northwest, North, East, Southwest, South, and Southeast, each of which showed affinity to some particular political unit (state), ethnicity and social organization of the archaeological culture. Through regional and cross-regional analysis of the shape, composite and musical features of the instruments and their contemporary cultural significance, I argue that the Shang and Zhou musical cultures were primarily originated and developed in multiple cultural contexts along the Yellow River and Yangtse River areas. Among the seven regions, the Central Plain region occupied a dominant position. The other regions of musical culture developed independently but maintained close cultural interaction with the Central Plain region. / Lastly, I discuss the ritual-music function of the instruments in the formation of ritual-music system, the condition of the owners and players of the instruments, and the compositive set of ritual bronze vessels and instruments. I conclude that the social function of musical instruments in the Shang and Zhou dynasties had actually gone beyond music performance itself. They had functions of performing music, executing sacrifice, and symbolizing the socio-political status and ranks of individuals. / This dissertation is an archaeo-musicological study on unearthed musical instruments of the Shang (1600 B.C.--1046 B.C.) and Western Zhou (1046 B.C.--771 B.C.) dynasties in China. Using the unearthed musical instruments in conjunction with other related archaeological findings and ancient Chinese documents, I discuss issues relating to the multi-structure and social function of these instruments within their socio-historical contexts. / Using the textual information from oracle bone inscriptions, bronze inscriptions, and Chinese classical texts, I explore the functions of the unearthed musical instruments in terms of sacrificial activities and the Liyue (ritual-music) system. I identify four types of excavation (dwellings, sacrificial pits, hoards, and tombs) to elucidate the relationship between sacrificial activities and musical instruments. I then discuss the metaphor of the instruments' decorations and the use of instruments in the ritual activities such as praying for rain and ancestral cult. / 方建軍. / 論文(哲學博士)--香港中文大學, 2005. / 參考文獻(p. 277-316). / Adviser: Tsao Poon Yee. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-07, Section: A, page: 2380. / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts also in English. / School code: 1307. / Lun wen (Zhe xue bo shi)--Xianggang Zhong wen da xue, 2005. / Can kao wen xian (p. 277-316). / Fang Jianjun.

(M.A. (Bybelse Argeologie))

Includes bibliographical references / Pages not numbered / Music has formed a part of human life as far back as demonstrable. Music existed long before musical instruments made their appearance. The examination of textual evidence read in conjunction with the available archaeologic evidence from the time and area clearly demonstrates which musical instruments were available and the instances they were used at. It clearly points to the lyre as the primary proponent of the musical culture of the time with regards to melodic music. This is confirmed from what we learn from the ancient tuning tablets. There thus is a direct demonstrable connection between the instrument and the theory of the time. Work done on the musical elements of the cantillation marks of the Hebrew Bible comfortably fits into this framework and appears to be a direct influence on the manner in which the Psalms were sung and composed. A combination of literary, archaeological and musical sources can thus be used within a literary and historical approach to demonstrate the availability of musical instruments in AIP, the manner in which tonality was recorded and its influence on the development of the Psalms. / Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern Studies / M.A. (Biblical Archaeology)