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[[underlined]] Chapter II. [[/underlined]]
25.

I discussed the find just after it had been made.
As I stated shortly after our inspection of the Hsin Chêng bronzes, (14)

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(14)
[[underlined]] Chinese Soc. and Pol. Science Review. [[/underlined]], vol. VII, no. 2 (Apr., 1924): C. W. Bishop, "The Bronzes of Hsin Cheng Hsien", pp. 81-99; ref. to page 97.
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while the latter were clearly of the general type produced in northern China during the Eastern Chou period, their style seemed to me to have been affected by influences also found in regions farther to the south. This impression it would have been difficult for me to justify by definite reasons; for it was based upon nothing more tangible than my recollection of the aspect of certain bronzes said to have been found in what was once part of the old kingdom of Ch'u. It is however in a measure supported by the fact that the little state of Chêng is known to have had close contacts, both peaceful and warlike, with her powerful and aggressive southern neighbor through the middle Chou period. Such long continued intercourse may well have affected, in some degree at least, the art styles then prevalent in Chêng.
As to the [[underlined]] terminus ante quem [[/underlined]] of the interment, the absence not only of iron objects and bronze mirrors but also of bronze swords and of a coffin (the latter point to be discussed later) rather suggests a date during the 6th or at latest the early 5th century B.C. That, all things considered, seems perhaps the most probable period in which took place the now famous chariot-burial of Hsin Chêng Hsien.

[[underlined]] Our first Visit to Hsin Chêng Hsien. [[/underlined]]
The officials at the yamên informed us that excavations were still in progress at the site, and accordingly we decided to visit it