1. Unit 1: From Pre-History to Early Civilizations Chapter 4: Ancient China

2. Section I: Early Civilizations in China (Pages 72-79) This section is about: How China ’ s geography (mountain barriers and rivers) influenced the development of civilization while also isolating it from outside influences. Life in China during the Shang Dynasty. How different social classes developed in China.

3. Geography is very important in the civilizations of China. Geography is very important in the civilizations of China. China has many different physical features, and climates. China has many different physical features, and climates. Let’s look at the stanza from a poem on page 72 Would this be a “primary source” or “secondary source”?

4. One thing that made China different than most places is: it can be hard to get into.

5. 7000 BC 4000 BC-1000 BC The first farming communities arose in China. The first farming communities arose in China. They had soil rich in loess – a fine grained soil that ’ s easy to work in and is rich in minerals (very fertile). They had soil rich in loess – a fine grained soil that ’ s easy to work in and is rich in minerals (very fertile). An agricultural revolution took place. An agricultural revolution took place. Rich soils from yearly monsoons and flooding rivers gave them plenty of water. Rich soils from yearly monsoons and flooding rivers gave them plenty of water. They also developed new and better farming tools. They also developed new and better farming tools. In the Huang He (Yellow River valley) farmers grew rice and other grains and raised sheep and cattle. In the Huang He (Yellow River valley) farmers grew rice and other grains and raised sheep and cattle. These farmers and the people in these villages worked well together to dig canals and build flood walls. These farmers and the people in these villages worked well together to dig canals and build flood walls.

7. The Shang built China ’ s first dynasty (about 1750 BC – 1000 BC) At this time, a number of clans (extended families) formed a loosely knit group. At this time, a number of clans (extended families) formed a loosely knit group. Archeologists have found remains of some of their walled cities – complete with palaces and tombs. Archeologists have found remains of some of their walled cities – complete with palaces and tombs. The King usually had a prince or noble to help him keep control in far away areas. The King usually had a prince or noble to help him keep control in far away areas. Shang armies used chariots and bronze weapons against their enemies. Shang armies used chariots and bronze weapons against their enemies.

8. Religious beliefs were very important to the ancient Chinese One of their beliefs: ancestor worship One of their beliefs: ancestor worship They buried dead relatives with food and drink (they wanted them to bring them good fortune). They buried dead relatives with food and drink (they wanted them to bring them good fortune). And – showing respect to people who ’ ve come before you is important in a lot of Asian cultures. And – showing respect to people who ’ ve come before you is important in a lot of Asian cultures. The Shang also believed these dead ancestors had a close link with a powerful god. The Shang also believed these dead ancestors had a close link with a powerful god. They also “ read ” oracle bones. They also “ read ” oracle bones. a person, place or thing that a god uses to revel hidden knowledge

9. The Shang were also the first Chinese writers The writing on the oracle bones (from tombs) are thought to be some of the earliest Chinese writing. The writing on the oracle bones (from tombs) are thought to be some of the earliest Chinese writing. At the time, though: language and writing wasn ’ t the same throughout China. At the time, though: language and writing wasn ’ t the same throughout China.

10. Shang social classes: The King was the warrior / leader and lived in a palace. The King was the warrior / leader and lived in a palace. Right below them were warrior nobles (some of which controlled their own territories) Right below them were warrior nobles (some of which controlled their own territories) Most Shang were peasant farmers… Most Shang were peasant farmers… …who lived in huts with dirt floors, worked long hours, used simple stone and wood tools, and were ordered to fight if a war broke out. …who lived in huts with dirt floors, worked long hours, used simple stone and wood tools, and were ordered to fight if a war broke out.

11. Shang artisans and merchants Had no official rank. Had no official rank. They were pretty much around to create things and sell them to the nobles (peasants didn ’ t need their products). They were pretty much around to create things and sell them to the nobles (peasants didn ’ t need their products). A lot of things we find from this time are made of bronze (it was “ the Bronze Age ” ). A lot of things we find from this time are made of bronze (it was “ the Bronze Age ” ).

12. Shang women… Took directions from their husbands and cared for their children. Took directions from their husbands and cared for their children. Once in a while they ’ d be given a few rights though – and were probably better off than women in some other areas of the world at that time. Once in a while they ’ d be given a few rights though – and were probably better off than women in some other areas of the world at that time.

13. Sericulture (silk farming) Women were completely responsible for silk production. Women were completely responsible for silk production. For centuries, Chinese silk was the most prized and expensive fabric in the world (only wealthy people could afford it). For centuries, Chinese silk was the most prized and expensive fabric in the world (only wealthy people could afford it). An ancient Chinese saying: “ Men plough and women weave. ” An ancient Chinese saying: “ Men plough and women weave. ”

16. One tomb from this era: Lady Hao ’ s Tomb Lady Hao was married to a Shang king. Lady Hao was married to a Shang king. This is only Chinese tomb we know of to have never been robbed. This is only Chinese tomb we know of to have never been robbed. Altogether Fu Hao's tomb contained: 468 bronze objects including 130 weapons, 23 bells, 27 knives, 4 mirrors, and 4 tigers or tiger heads 755 jade objects 63 stone objects 5 ivory objects 564 bone objects including nearly 500 bone hairpins and over 20 bone arrowheads 11 pottery objects 6,900 pieces of cowry shell