Decapitated Heads as Elite Visual Culture in Late Shang China

A dramatic increase in decapitation during the Late Shang dynasty (c.1250–1050 BCE) at Yinxu, Henan Province, China, led to the ritual transformation of human heads into elite objects. This study reveals that while decapitation was a documented practice, no clear evidence of its execution exists at Yinxu, despite numerous depictions in other cultures. Using archaeological data from sacrificial contexts and material culture uncovered over 90 years, the research argues that these remains were ritually managed to neutralize their post-mortem agency while elevating their status among the elite. This finding contributes to global comparative studies on the materiality of the human head, offering insights into how societies handle and symbolize such remains.

Wolin, D. (2021). Decapitated Heads as Elite Visual Culture in Late Shang China. Cambridge Archaeological Journal, 32(2), 189–204. https://doi.org/10.1017/s095977432100041x