Ian Smith-The Role of Rivers in Ancient China

The Role of Rivers in Ancient China

While perusing through the Qingming Shanghe tu scroll, I couldn't help but notice the fisherman lining parts of the river through the scene. Fishing was a primary source of food for many early human civilizations that settled near bodies of water. The river along the Bianjing serves as a main source for food with its fish, and an attraction for many markets and vendors. In the infancy of China's civilization, many of the villages revolved around the streams of water. They served as protection, water supply, and food source. The Yellow river is the 6th longest river in the world, and served as a huge role in the early goings of China's prosperity. Although rather dangerous, the river is considered the birthplace of China's growth in trade, transportation, and commerce. As these areas around rivers became more accessible for a larger population, many methods were used for collecting the highly abundant and necessary food source of fish, as well as a sustainable region for living.

One of the most interesting methods of Ancient China was that of the Cormorant method. As observed in the book titled The American Naturalist by E. W. Gudger, the European traveler Marco Polo, witnessed this method around 1270 (Gudger, 1). The method was to tie a rope around the base of the bird's neck, set him free and wait. The Cormorant is an excellent fish hunter, as the bird stalks and eventually would strike its prey, the fisherman would then drag the bird in, and with the rope tied around it restrained the bird from swallowing the fish and allowed for an easy capture for the fisherman. This is quite an amazing technique that involves a lot of intuition and observation of one's surroundings. Showing the early Chinese ability to adapt to their surroundings and prove quite utilitarian.

In the times of the Neolithic period, civilization and knowledge of sustainability were not quite as abundant. In Duan Chang-Qun, Xue-Chun, Wang, and Chien’s Relocation of Civilization Centers in Ancient China: Environmental Factors, they state, “In the Neolithic Age, people had very limited knowledge of farming, and primitive agricultural techniques were largely subject to natural forces…(The Yellow River)... supplied abundant and essential resources.”(572). Here we can see the role of rivers through even the earliest time of human settlement. 

The role of a settlement near a river was not only important for sustainability but also allowed for many of the creations of art we have studied throughout the term. The Yellow River and Yangtze being prime examples of this. In Andrew Lawlers Newspost, “Beyond the Yellow River”, he states, “In fact goods and styles from this region, such as fine jades, have been found as far west as the upper reaches of the Yangtze River,”(930). The rivers allowed for fishing, but also were home to the precious elements in which the ancient Chinese were also able to sculpt and create with. 

In the scroll we see examples of fisherman gathering yield of fish for food, we see boats used for transportation, and an overall networking for all walks of life to share. From the markets set up on the bridge, and the neighboring streets riddled with vendors and pedestrians, it is no question that rivers throughout China's history played a massive role in the upbringing of society and civilization. Even today the Yellow River is still a major player in trade and economic output for the country.

Bibliography

Duan Chang-Qun, Xue-Chun, Wang, and Chien’s,Relocation of Civilization Centers in Ancient China: Environmental Factors (1998, 572)

E.W. Gudger, The American Naturalist (1926, 5)

Andrew Lawler, Beyond the Yellow River: How China Became China (2009, 930)