Han Cultural Integration and Identity among Ethnic Minorities in the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties: Evidence from Eaves Tiles

<title>Abstract</title> <p>During the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties (AD 220–589), large-scale ethnic migration and cultural integration occurred between northern non-Han groups and Han Chinese. Unlike prior text-based studies, this research adopts a material culture perspective by analyzing Eaves Tiles (Wadang) to investigate cultural identity formation. A total of 356 eaves tiles from 46 sites across China were analyzed for decorative motifs (lotus, cloud, animal mask, character patterns) and dimensional attributes (face diameter, rim width). Results reveal stylistic and dimensional convergence: northern tiles, initially larger with thicker rims, gradually adopted southern Han-style specifications after the Northern Wei capital relocated to Luoyang. Northern regimes incorporated lotus, cloud, animal mask, and character patterns rooted in Han traditions, while southern-style lotus seed pods, narrow rims, and refined craftsmanship increasingly influenced northern standards. By the late Northern Dynasties, northern and southern tile-ends achieved substantial alignment in dimensions and decoration, marking a transition from regional divergence to a shared paradigm. This study demonstrates that architectural material culture provides tangible evidence of multi-ethnic interaction, complementing textual records and revealing how northern ethnic minorities actively embraced the Han cultural and political order.</p>