The Shang, Zhou, Qin, and Han dynasties The Shang dynasty was founded in 1600BC. It was the second hereditary dynasty in China. Shang was originally considered a myth, until they were discovered because the Chinese pharmacists sold oracle bones created by them as dragon bones. This dynasty marked the beginning of the development of writing. In addition to the development of writing, Iron casting and pottery were also advanced in Shang.
was the first to have left behind written records and solid archaeological evidence of its existence. Through the Shang’s written records Keightley asserts that for the first time, one can describe in confidence the Chinese civilization. Aspects such as their political system, art forms, DIs (high Gods), religious practices, Ancestors, Tablet & Temples, rituals of their society, diet & agriculture and even warfare could now be learned through written records known as oracle-bone inscriptions and Bronze inscriptions. The oracle-bone inscriptions as described by Keightley were made on the back of a turtle shell or cattle scapula. The process first started by applying intense heat to hollows bored into the shell or scapula.
In the ancient time, about 10000 B.C. China, just like other civilizations, was ruled by many different patriarchal clans. This is the first stage of the prehistoric culture of China. However, in the ruins of the clans during that time, people discovered a sign of distribution. The amount of bones and debris they found in most of the households are similar.
Reflection Paper 1 Ancient and Imperial China September 19, 2014 Summary of Intellectual Foundations of China In his book, Intellectual Foundations of China, Frederick Mote discusses the importance of the various schools of thought that appeared in the years leading up to the imperial period of ancient China, and how their influence impacted Chinese intellectual thought that persists to this day. Confucius began the legacy of intellectual thinking by lighting the torch that would be carried on to create Confucianism. Taoism ran parallel to Confucianism, and acted as a polar opposite, but not an adversary. Mote describes both in detail, dedicating a great deal of his book to the two ideologies specifically. Mote describes Confucius as the first self-conscious philosopher that we know of in the Chinese tradition.
*1 He wrote the first Chinese catechism and composed the first ever map of China which he showed the Emperor, to prove that China was not the centre of the earth. He translated the works of Confuscious into Latin and adapted the liturgical rites of Christianity to the mentality of the Chinese. He is a model of dialogue and respect for other believers who carried out a great work of interculturation in China. Using some of the social elements of Confucianism for his pastoral strategy. Translates Euclidean elements of geometry to the Chinese which even the Communist party has acknowledged as having great historical importance.
Assignment 2: Ancient Chinese Contributions HUM 111 − World Cultures I Ancient Chinese Contributions Throughout our human history many ancient cultures have contributed to our advancements today. One of these amazing ancient cultures is the Chinese. Gunpowder invented during 9th century by Chinese alchemists. The compass invented during the Song Dynasty. Paper was invented during the Han Dynasty.
In addition, the Ancient Chinese also were the first people to learn how to harvest silk and use it in clothing and paper. The oldest silk discovered dates to around 3.630 BC and came from the Chinese Neolithic period. Silk was not just an important invention for life but it also was a bridge that connected China to the world. The Silk Road is over 2000 years old and it is still an important path for cultural, commercial, and technological exchanges that occur between the East and West (Liyao, 2011). Also, archaeological evidence confirms that iron was developed
The Shang Dynasty also known as the Yin Dynasty ran from 1700 B.C to 1027 B.C. Is thought to be erected by a rebel leader who ousted the previous Xia leader. The Shang dynasty is documented for the styles that provide China with its cultural heritage. The Shang dynasty used royal workspaces to produce bronze containers, but also included tools, weapon’s, and instruments. They were also big on hunting, and farming as a profitable methods.
These Sages, who were given “Zi” at the end of their names, went around the kingdoms, explaining to the ruler what they thought the best solution was for uniting China. The most prominent ideas were usually any of the three sects, Daoist, Confucianist or Legalist. Daoism was based on the ideas of Laozi and Zhuangzi, Confucianism on those of Confucius (Kongzi) and Mencius (Mengzi), and Legalism on those of Han Feizi. Confucianism was not adopted in Confucius’ life time. It developed later,
Starting in the third century BCE, the ancient Chinese people began building fortifications around their borders to keep enemies out. These structures, over time, were joined together to form the series of structures we now know as the Great Wall of China. Stretching over 5,500 miles in total, the Great Wall stands as a reminder of the achievement and military prowess of ancient China and is recognized by the United Nations as a World Heritage Site. (UNESCO) Prior to the existence of the Great Wall as we know it, many smaller ancient fortifications existed in its place, having been built around the third century BCE along the northern border of the Chinese territory as protection from invading nomadic groups. The main portion of the wall as we know it was started by the Ming emperors starting in the 14th century CE.