Archaeological discoveries of recent decades have revolutionized our understanding of early Chinese history. By bringing to light a wealth of material and paleographic sources, they allow us to dramatically expand or radically revise our knowledge of the past. Among these fabulous discoveries, those in Pingshan County (Hebei) take a pride of place. There, starting in the 1970s, archaeologists excavated the capital and elite tombs of the Zhongshan kingdom. This nearly forgotten polity from the Warring States period (453–221 BCE) can now be brought to life, as is demonstrated in Wu Xiaolong's outstanding study, Material Culture, Power, and Identity in Ancient China.
The state of Zhongshan, reportedly founded by a branch of the Di 狄 ethnic group in the late sixth century BCE, was occupied by the state of Wei 魏 circa 407 BCE, but regained independence circa 381 BCE. It was extinguished by the state of Zhao in 296...
