China Ancient Cultures

China Ancient Cultures CWC with Mr. Atkinson

XIA  

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The first prehistoric dynasty (2100-1600 B.C.) Scientific excavations (1960’s-1970’s) helped separate myth from reality. Archaeologists uncovered urban sites with bronze artifacts and tombs, proof of Xia Locations cited in ancient Chinese texts. Seen as a link between late Neolithic period and the Chinese urban civilization of the Shang dynasty.

Shang (1700-1027 B.C.)  

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LocationGovernment- Ruled by a King - Performed -Consulted -Priests helped Religion-Polytheistic

Shang Accomplishments   

Writing System Accurate Calendar Bronze Metallurgy

Zhou (1027-221 B.C.) Longest lasting dynasty.  Government instituted doctrine known as the Mandate of Heaven:  771 BC: Zhou Court  Power of the Zhou 475 BC: “Warring States Period” 

Warring States Period (475-221 B.C.) 7 Most powerful states battle for supremacy  Over 200 years of ruthless destruction  Out of this chaos: 

Qin (221-206 B.C)  

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The QinRelied heavily onShi Huangdi “First Emperor” StandardizedControlledConfucian scholarsBurned-

Qin Tarracotta Soldiers

Army of 7000 life-size terracotta soldiers archaeologists found guarding the tomb of Qin Shihuandi Took thirty-four years to build, 700,000 workers involved

Great Wall of China

Zhou- Vassal states started walls as separate defenses Oin-Joined the walls to hold off the invaders from the north. A) Extended them to more than 5,000 kilometers B) 70% of population helped build. 1million died in its construction Ming-Began a major renovation in 1368 AD, it took 200 years to complete. The wall today is the result of this effort. Has a total length of over 6,000 kilometers

Han 206 BC-220 AD  

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Emperor Han Wu Di Decentralized rule by granting some control to vassal principalities. Rulers modifiedConfucian idealsConfucian scholarsExamFlourished-

Han Achievements Sima Oian (145-87 BC)  The empire expanded:  The “silk road”  Technological advances 

Other Dynasties Sui (581-618 AD)  Tang (618-907 AD)  Song (960-1280)  Yuan (1280-1370) Mongolian  Ming (1368-1644 AD)  Qing (1644-1912) Last Emperor 

Bibliography 

http://www.nga.gov/education/chinatp_s109.htm

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http://www~chaos.umd.edu/history/ancient1.html#xia http://www.chinavista.com/travel/greatwall/greatwall.html

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http://www.anton~heyboer.org/I_ching/websites/ancient_vi.htm