Ancient China By: Matthew Howard
Ancient China
By: Matthew Howard, Nicolas McWatters and Michael Murphy
* Neolithic Era: Neolithic cultures began developing in the North of China around 700 BCE. * The Jiahu civilization appeared, a people who were very dependent on intensive farming of things like rice and foxtail millet. * Cliff carvings have been found in China, showing an apparent fascination with gods, astrology, and their surroundings. * In 5500-4900 a civilization emerged which was very advanced, completed with construction of buildings, farming and agriculture, pottery, and burial of the dead. * Shang Dynasty: Anyang, confirmed to be the last standing of the Shang’s nine capitals was excavated and evidence of civilization was found. * The oracle bones were confirmed to be China’s first written evidence of organized culture and were a way of predicting the future through communicating with the gods. * During this period religion was at the forefront of culture, with gods being responsible for everything. They had one god who reigned supreme over the other gods, Shangdi. * The Shang dynasty had 30 kings. And at this time China was little more than an isolationist nation consisting of small farming communities. * There was a definite social infrastructure, where the nobles and kings were literally at a higher level than the peasants. * Slavery and Women : Slavery was a function of Chinese culture until the twentieth century, but shockingly, slaves made up approximately two percent of the population, consisting of criminals and captured opposing soldiers. * Women had a high standing in society and for the most part were equally valued * Over time males were given a greater bonus solely because of agricultural and economic capabilities, along with their importance in ancestor veneration. * Without a male heir, a gloomy afterlife existence was imminent, so eventually males took a greater value in society. * Fall of the Shang and
By: Matthew Howard, Nicolas McWatters and Michael Murphy
* Neolithic Era: Neolithic cultures began developing in the North of China around 700 BCE. * The Jiahu civilization appeared, a people who were very dependent on intensive farming of things like rice and foxtail millet. * Cliff carvings have been found in China, showing an apparent fascination with gods, astrology, and their surroundings. * In 5500-4900 a civilization emerged which was very advanced, completed with construction of buildings, farming and agriculture, pottery, and burial of the dead. * Shang Dynasty: Anyang, confirmed to be the last standing of the Shang’s nine capitals was excavated and evidence of civilization was found. * The oracle bones were confirmed to be China’s first written evidence of organized culture and were a way of predicting the future through communicating with the gods. * During this period religion was at the forefront of culture, with gods being responsible for everything. They had one god who reigned supreme over the other gods, Shangdi. * The Shang dynasty had 30 kings. And at this time China was little more than an isolationist nation consisting of small farming communities. * There was a definite social infrastructure, where the nobles and kings were literally at a higher level than the peasants. * Slavery and Women : Slavery was a function of Chinese culture until the twentieth century, but shockingly, slaves made up approximately two percent of the population, consisting of criminals and captured opposing soldiers. * Women had a high standing in society and for the most part were equally valued * Over time males were given a greater bonus solely because of agricultural and economic capabilities, along with their importance in ancestor veneration. * Without a male heir, a gloomy afterlife existence was imminent, so eventually males took a greater value in society. * Fall of the Shang and