The Songze culture was a later stage of the Majiabang culture (which emerged around c.5000 BCE) and before Liangzhu Culture materialized in the lower Yangzi region around c.4000 BCE and was given its name after the site of Songze in Shanghai. The general dates in which the Songze culture flourished is usually given is between 3400 – 3300 BCE and it was these people that are considered to be one of the ancestors of the Shanghai people. Songze Site is the archaeological site of the Neolithic Age and the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476BC). Its cultural relics are divided into three levels according to its stratum: the lowest level but of the highest archaeological value of the three belongs to the Neolithic Age, unearthed relics including storage pits and production tools; the middle level is the tombs of the Matriarchy clan society; and the upper level is the relic of late Western Zhou Dynasty (11th century-771BC) and the Spring and Autumn Period, including pottery, porcelains, stone ware and some bronze.</a> Hole drilling pattern which serves an important aspect in authentication Songze jade plaques has the characteristics of those of Xia jades( two directional drilling with polishing both sides) and those of Qijia jades (one directional drilling with polishing one side and leave the other side unpolished )
Songze Culture, Jade plaque, w.8,7cm
<strong><em>Identification</em></strong>:
Based on the carving style and the appearance of the shape, this object is identified as Songze Culture jade plaque. Antiquity evidences include differential weathering, dissolved pits, additive crystals and ancient tool marks
<strong><em>Appreciation</em></strong>:
From the shape seen, this should be a jade eagle flying in the sky or the object symbolizing the idea that human being want to have a pair of wings to reach the ultimate top of dream. To use some imagination, may it be the advanced flying aircraft from alien seen by the ancient people?
Songze Culure, Jade Plaque, w. 9.7cm
<strong><em>Identification</em>:</strong>
Based on the carving style and form, the object is identified as jade plaque of Songze Culture, similar item is seen as L. 6.6cm, unearthed in 1974, at the graveyard of No.64, Songze relics, Qingpu County, Shanghai City. A collection of Shanghai Artifacts Regulatory Commission. Antiquity evidences include differential weathering, dissloved pits and ancient tool mark.
<strong><em>Appreciation</em>:</strong>
The design of the jade plaque very similar to shape of sperm whale which might be seen by people of Songze since their settlement close to the ocean.
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