Ho Tsz-Yan

• Master’s degree, History – Ancient History and Civilization, University of Artois (2023)
• Bachelor’s degree, History – Heritage and Archaeology, University of Artois, honors (2022)
• Master’s Degree, Chinese – Literature and Civilization, University of Artois, honors (2018)
• Bachelor’s Degree, Applied Foreign Languages – French, English, Chinese, University of Lille (2016)

De la matérialité à l’immatérialité de la culture du char dans la Chine ancienne : les fonctions et les valeurs symboliques du char pour les vivants et les morts à partir des vestiges archéologiques de la dynastie des Zhōu (1046 – 256 av. J.-C.)

Sous la direction de Olivier Venture

My thesis focuses on the chariot as an essential element of ancient Chinese culture. Numerous specimens have been unearthed by archaeologists since the early 20th century. However, it is important to note that this means of transport has mainly been found as a prestigious funerary object for the upper aristocracy. Nearly 250 chariot burials have been excavated in various regions of China. Based on the analysis of these remains, I aim to reconstruct the practices and traditions specific to human groups who had the privilege of being buried with chariots. The large number of chariot burials allows me to compare the respective practices of each region during the different periods of the Zhou dynasty. Once the funerary and sacrificial practices have been reconstructed, I can reflect on the reasons and origins of these practices, as well as the symbolic values attributed to the chariot. A typology of pits and burials is established in order to compare them. My attention also focuses on the bronze accessories of the chariot and horses. I also define the terminology of the remains studied, focusing on the chariots and horses on the one hand, and their accessories on the other.