An Archaeological Perspective of Alcoholic Beverages in the Song Dynasty (960–1279)

Abstract

China’s Song Dynasty (960–1279 ad) was a prosperous period of economic development and cultural exchange. The economic and cultural prosperity also promoted the development of the brewing industry, and alcohol consumption became a fad. Based on the archeological materials related to the alcohol culture of the Song Dynasty (including image materials, such as tomb murals, temple murals, grotto statues and surviving paintings, and excavated drinking vessels), the type, texture, and decorative pattern of drinking vessels have characteristics that are unique for the time, and the purpose and methods of alcohol consumption and brewing in the Song Dynasty are unprecedentedly diverse. Alcohol trade, drinking customs, and the banquet culture at that time reflect the influence of the alcohol culture and its penetration into every household, further manifesting as cultural integration with other ethnic groups (the Khitan and Jurchen). By exploring a distant ancient society through alcohol from an archeological perspective, this paper focuses on the utensils, patterns, functions, customs, and accompanying cultural exchange phenomena associated with alcoholic beverages in the Song Dynasty in China.