Urbanization and new social contexts for consumption of food and drink in northern China

This essay proposes that the development of urbanism in northern China provided new opportunities for feasting activities that were important for the creation and maintenance of social relations. Relatively labor intensive, elaborate vessels for the preparation and consumption of food and drink were essential components of feasts. A survey of such vessels in published reports reveals some widely shared concepts about valued vessels, as well as some differences between regions. Feasting activities at Longshan period urban settlements involved diversification of ceramic production, a pattern that changed during the Early Bronze Age after crafts people succeeded in making bronze vessels.