Early Chinese Civilization
Hsia Dynasty
Date
2200–1750 BC
Shang Dynasty
1750–1100 BC
Chou Dynasty
1100–256 BC
Qin Dynasty
221–206 BC
many more until ...
Quing Dynasty
...the last dynasty, about 100 yrs ago
AD 1644–1911
Chronological Chart
Earlier developments, preceding state level societies (in Northeast China)
- Differences in status and wealth apparent by 4000 BC. (probably chiefdom level societies).
- Between 3000-2000 BC: jade increases in use, great wealth displayed in burials and ceremonial
objects.
- Domestication of mille by about 4000 BC (a fast-growing annual cereal plant grown for its seed
and used for hay). Soybeans were also grown, which added essential protein and oils to the diet.
Wheat appears to have arrived from the West at a later date, perhaps by late Chou Dynasty times.
Millet was the staple crop of ancient Chinese civilizations, not rice. Rice was domesticated by
about 3000 BC, but in the southern, warmer part of China (away from the hub of social and
political developments) where the climate permits its growth. Domesticated animals included
dogs, pigs, cattle, sheep, and (later) horses.
- Wheel-made pottery.
Hsia Dynasty (2200–1750 BC) (NE. China, along the Yellow River)
- Walled settlements, both small and large. Warfare rampant.
- The level of complexity is not resolved. Some scholars consider this a state, others a complex
chiefdom. But it is clear that enormous status differences existed and that there was considerable
range in the settlement types. The fact that settlements were fortified throughout this period
suggests that power was always in flux; a situation typical of chiefdoms.
- Some bronze objects, but scarce. Jade and other precious items used.
- Palatial houses of wood built on platforms.
- Sacrificial burials.
- Use of turtles shells and the bones of oxen for divination. These “oracle bones” were heated and
the religious specialists “read” the resulting cracks for answers to questions, both secular and
sacred. Specialists call this practice “sapulamancy,” because the scapula (shoulder bones) of oxen
were often used.
Shang Dynasty (1750–1100 BC) (NE. China, along the Yellow River)
- 1st capital called Zhengzhou, a fortified city with an earthen protective wall
- The last capital was Anyang (1300-1100 BC). No fortifications (presumably conquest and power
was solidified), but very elaborate burials, including sacrificed captives.
- Elaborate bronze ritual vessels for ancestor worship. Bronze closely associated with rulership
during this dynasty. For example, at the site of Sanxingdui a hoard of bronze objects were found,
presumably buried for protection during a time of war. The items include a life-size bronze figure
and a mask that is 4 feet across! These are remarkable things considering the complex casting
technology (pouring molten bronze into pre-made molds) required to make them.
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Chinese writing developed by at least 1200 BC and, remarkably, is quite similar to modern
Chinese script. Generally, silk or bamboo was used to write on, so not many of these texts have
survived. This greatly improved the efficiency of state administration, including commerce, tax
collection and other events in need of recording. More than anything, this allowed information to
be centralized—a key aspect of any states control over its territories and peoples.
Systematic use of the institutionalized violence to reinforce class structure and inequality.
Profound violence and warfare, to put it mildly.
The most wealthy living in enclosed courtyard type complexes that could be considered
“palaces.” Sites are very large, some possibly exceeding 150,000 people.
Very elaborate burials (royal tombs) consisting of large pits containing royal folks, their
sacrificed retainers or war captives. Sometimes these burials contain chariots with teams of
horses! (see photo attached).
The practice of “sapulamancy” continues, though with writing often on the shells and bones (see
attached photo).
Religion included earth and sky deities; ancestor worship important too.
Chou (Zhou) Dynasty (1100–256 BC) (NE. China, along the Yellow River)
- overthrows Shang leadership and unifies most of Northern China into one large (larger than
before) state.
- By about 750 BC independent states arise within the larger Chou state, which becomes a nominal
(acting or being something in name only, but not in reality) leader in the entire region. Increased
warfare among these independent states.
- Records indicate that warfare was rather ritualized, with times set (in advance) by elites for
battles. This may also have been the case during Shang times.
- By mid 400s BC, iron weapons were introduced along with increasingly complex metallurgy.
Armies were enormous, involving commoners as well as professional soldiers. Ritual fighting
gave way to all-out nasty combat. This is often called the “warring states” period.
- Philosopher Confucius writes about behavior, manners, and so on (not really religious in nature)
Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) (NE. China, along the Yellow River)
- Subjugate all the warring states into one very large empire. Very short-lived (less than 20 years).
- Capital of Xianyang, 12 miles northwest of the modern city of Xi’an.
- Continuation of patterns established in the Shang and Chou Dynasties, including warfare.
- A standardized system of currency, weights and measures were introduced, including a
standardization of Chinese script. He even standardized the axle length of wheeled vehicles to
increase the efficiency of commercial transport. The empire was dived into 36 separate regions,
each ruled by government agents (civil and military) of the state. Rule was autocratic (a
dictatorship, very harsh rule).
- The great wall of China was finished (joining a series of earlier walls to keep out northern
nomadic invaders. This is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and is the only human-made
object that can be seen from distant space!
- Very large man-made burial mounds constructed for rulers.
- Incredibly lavish ceremonial events and objects surrounding the death of the emperor. The best
known being the burial place of Qin Shi Whang, the first emperor of this dynasty. It is located
near the modern city of Xi’an. In front of his burial mound—which is still unexcavated—
hundreds of life-size ceramic soldiers and horses were found, arranged in battle formation! This is
surely one of the most spectacular discoveries in the history of archaeology. The labor that went
into this monument, like those of ancient Egypt, is beyond imagination.
Note about the Yellow River and agriculture: This long river ha broad flanking plains. The early states
harnessed the river for agriculture by creating systems of canals to irrigate the plains. Unlike Egypt (but
like ancient Mesopotamia), this was very labor intensive agriculture. In addition to providing water for
agricultural pursuits, canal irrigation enabled floods to be controlled. The natural tendencies of the Yellow
River, in effect, were harnessed for human needs.