History of Ancient China

Introduction

• China's name originates from the Qin Dynasty.
• The term "China" comes from the Sanskrit "China," derived from the Qin dynasty.

Early Evidence of Human Civilization

• Peking Man: Skull fossil dating between 700,000 - 300,000 years ago found in 1927.
• Yaon Mao: Remains from 1.7 million years ago discovered in 1965.
• Early inhabitants knew stone tool making and fire use.

Neolithic Culture

• Bampo Village (4500 BC): 45 houses, a trench for protection, storage caves, pottery, and tools found.

Early Dynastic China

• Xia Dynasty (2070-1600 BCE): First centralized government, previously considered mythical.
  • Founded by Yu the Great, known for controlling Yellow River floods.
• Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BCE): Arts, culture, religion, and bronze metallurgy flourished.
  • Pantheon of gods with Shangti as supreme deity.
  • Development of ancestor worship.

Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BCE)

• Divided into Western Zhou (1046-771 BCE) and Eastern Zhou (771-256 BCE).
• Significant cultural advancements, philosophy, and arts.
• Mandate of Heaven: Divine right of rulers introduced.

Warring States Period (475-221 BCE)

• Fragmentation into seven states: Chu, Han, Xi, Qin, Wei, Yan, and Zhou.
• Qin State emerged victorious under Shang Yang’s strategic changes.

Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE)

• Shi Huangti: First Emperor, initiated the Great Wall construction.
• Suppressed philosophies except for legalism.
• Obsessed with immortality; created terracotta army for afterlife.

Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE)

• Emperor Gaozu: Reunified China.
• Trade with the West began; Silk Road opened in 130 BCE.
• Cultural and technological advancements; invention of paper.

Period of Disunion

• Three Kingdoms Period (220-280 CE): Instability and division into Kaowei, Eastern Wu, and Shuhan.
• Sui Dynasty (589 CE): Reunification and efficient bureaucracy.

Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE)

• Golden Age of Chinese civilization.
• Expansion and prosperity; arts and technology flourished.
• Empress Wu Zixian: Only female monarch.
• An Lushan’s rebellion caused massive population decline.

Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE)

• Stabilization and cultural prosperity.
• Neo-Confucianism: Influential philosophy.

Later Dynasties

• Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368): Mongol rule.
• Ming Dynasty: Famous for white and blue porcelains.
• End of the Ming marked by the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 CE).

Conclusion

• Ancient China experienced a dynamic history with periods of fragmentation and unification.
• Various dynasties contributed to the cultural and technological legacy of China.