Research on "Nan Gong" in the Bronze Inscriptions of the Western Zhou and Eastern Zhou Dynasty

The term "Nangong" first appears in the inscription on the Da Yu Ding, referring to a significant figure within the Nangong lineage during the he Western Zhou and Eastern Zhou Dynasty. After the excavation of the Yejia Mountain Cemetery in Suizhou, "Nangong" once again attracted attention. The Nangong lineage, after Nangong Shi, bifurcated into the "Nangong" and "ZengHou" branches. The bronzes unearthed with the inscription "Nangong" originate from two primary sources: the Nangong lineage within the royal domain and the Zeng state in the southern territories. Both major lineages venerated "Nangong" as their ancestor. Yu, the owner in the Da Yu Ding, also known as Nangong Yu, was a collateral descendant of Nangong Shi. Nangong Mao served as the secondary ancestor for the lineage within the royal domain, honoring Nangong Shi as "Nangong". The Zeng state lineage, however, regarded ZengHou Jian as "Nangong", the inaugural ZengHou and the eldest son of Nangong Shi, thus representing the "Nangong" of the Zeng state. ZengHou Kang, the son of "Nangong", cast bronze inscribed with "Kao Lie Nangong" in honor of his father.