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Fossil Evidence and Tomb Excavation from Ancient China
YANGZI RIVER
Overview of Dynasties: Ancient China through 220 C.E.
Until recently, three ancient Chinese Dynasties of China were
viewed as "legendary." Now, evidence exists for each and their leading traits
help us understand many enduring characteristics of Chinese culture. Several later
traditions were inherited from unique cultural developments evolving since the beginning
of China. These characteristic traits are seen in the following detailed descriptions of
the Chinese Dynasties. Evidence uncovered from ancient dynasties sheds light on cultural
values persisting to this day. Historians have been able to learn and understand more
about how Chinese culture evolved and advanced over many centuries.
In the following sections significant historical texts and images
provide an overview of the ancient Dynasties and give some evidence of the wonderful
characteristics of those eras.
CHINA: ANCIENT DYNASTIES
.
Xia (Hsia) Dynasty
Shang Dynasty
Zhou (Chou) Dynasty.
This era is traditionally divided
into the period of Western Chou dominance (1027-771 B.C.E.), followed by the rule of the
Eastern Chou (771-256 B.C.E.), itself divided into the Spring and Autumn era (771-401 BC)
and then the Warring States Period (401-256 BC), ending with the Q'in overthrow.
..
CHINA: DYNASTIES OF THE CLASSICAL ERA
Q'in (Ch'in) Dynasty
In China, key characteristics of the Classical Era and its dynasties
have persisted over many centuries. Significant historical texts and images provide us
with a brief overview of these major civilizations of the Classical Era.
Biography
of Lü Buwei (Lü Pu-wei) who, in 239 B.C.E., completed the compilation of the
Lüshi chunqiu (Lü-shih ch'un-ch'iu) an encyclopedia prepared by a group of
scholars.
.
Han Dynasty
CHINA: DYNASTIES OF THE POST-CLASSICAL ERA,
220-1911 C.E.
The last links--to Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, 1279-1911 C.E.--are
to distinct pages created by members of this Research Institute.
The major civilizations and dynasties of the "Post-Classical
Era" embodied significant advances that are of great significance in more recent eras
of the History of China.
T'ang
Dynasty
Women in the T'ang Dynasty
Another Tang lady (on a horse) . Brief note about a
book on Women in T'ang China
. . TANG
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
Song (Sung) Dynasty
The Yuan Dynasty, 1279-1368
In 1279, Song China was overwhelmed by Mongol conquerors. Their leader,
Kubilai Khan, was the grandson of the great Genghis Khan. For the first time, gunpowder
used for celebration was now being used for the propulsion of projectile weapons. The
Middle Kingdom succumbed to the invaders who took the dynastic title of 'Yuan'.
Kubilai Khan was determined to keep Mongol and Han Chinese tradition
and culture separate. This was not to say that Kubilai did not admire Chinese culture and
tradition. The Great Khan respected both Mongol and Chinese culture. This was probably in
Kubilai' s best interest however. It bears mentioning that at this time the vanquished
outnumbered the conquerors drastically. Though there were a few hundred thousand Mongols,
there were approximately 90 million Chinese!
One of the greatest benefactors of this Mongol/Chinese cultural
splicing were women. The Mongols not only dismissed the Chinese practice of 'Foot
Binding'; greater numbers of elite women of this period also were influential as property
owners and in other areas of the public sector. Unfortunately, this trend waned as
Kubilai's successors embraced Neo-confucian ideals.
The Yuan Dynasty suffered from internal problems in its central
government and from far less capable rulers after the great Kubilai. Groups from rebel
peasans to secret religious sects were determined to overthrow the Mongol Government. The
Yuan finally faded into China's history when power changed hands to the Ming Dynasty,
returning China to the Han populace.
Near death, the Venetian explorer Marco Polo was asked to take back the
"fabulous" tales of the things he witnessed in Yuan China. His reply was simply,
"I have not told you half of what I saw."
Two concise histories of Yuan China can be found at:
The Mongolian Interlude
A few more interesting Yuan related sites are:
Ming China, 1368-1644
Washington State University's World Cultures Site has an excellent section on Ming China.
First, a brief
Overview of The Ming positions
them in historical time. Next is a concise view of the Ming Rise to Power and then a
section on Ming economic affairs,
including the maritime expeditions. The fall of the Ming to the Ch'ing or Manchu Dynasty is also
discussed.
For a small sized but useful map of the Ming Empire, see: Map of empire
For an image of the first Ming Emperor, see: Taizu [Tai-tsu].
The Washington State University's World Cultures Site also includes an
interesting discusssion of Ming philosophy, particularly Chu Hsi (1130-1200) and
neo-Confucianism: Ming philosophy.
For other aspects of life in the Ming era, see:
Family rose Ming vase
Ming tribute
system - painting
Qing China, 1644-1911
Empress Dowanger sought to solve China's problems with an emphasis on
tradition. The theme of "Back to Han" was hoped to solve the woes of the Middle
Kingdom. Empress Dowanger even endorsed the Boxer Rebellion, a movement to
force the foreigners out through violence. This effort was in vain however, and with
Empress Dowanger's passing the Imperial throne was ascended by the two year- old Emperor
Puyi. With no leadership the Empire crumbled in 1911, ending thousands of years of
imperial governance in China.
The beginning of the 20th century marked a fresh start for a people
who's history spans centuries. The first attempt at a new China came with the dawn of the Republic of China.
Concise Histories of Qing China can be found at:
Encyclopedia of Chinese Mythology
ANCIENT CHINESE MYTH'S xx EARLY CHINESE MYTH I xx EARLY CHINESE MYTH II xx ANCIENT CHINESE WOMEN MYTH xx
Art
ART OF CHINA xx YUAN DYNASTY RIVER
PAINTING (1361) xx
Scholarship
EARLY COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS IN CHINA:
Oracle Bones, Writing, & Printing
Oracle Bones
Photo and a sketch of an oracle bone . Photograph of
another oracle bone .
Writing
.
For a listing of a few useful studies, see Richard W.
Clement's section on China of his
Bibliography for Book History.
EXPLORING
CULTURE OF ANCIENT CHINA
ANCIENT CHINESE
CULTURE xx
CHINESE
COINS
ANCIENT
CHINESE MEDICINE
Landmarks:
In China there have been sacred burials and treasures that are
preserved as part of their Chinese culture. These sacred preservations are seen in
numerous discoveries of historical landmarks. Included in these landmarks are temples,
capitals, cities, and mausoleums that date back many centuries. Click here to see a map that links to ancient
Chinese historical landmarks including mausoleums, capitals and dynasties that have
been discovered or preserved for several centuries.
Imperial Gardens Tour:
nine
dragon wall gif -- overview
nine
dragon wall gif -- detail
retreat
for revealing ones mind
Forbidden City Tour:
forbidden
city gif
forbidden
city -- gate of supreme harmony
forbidden
city -- hall of celestial purity
Great Wall tour:
great
wall gif 2
great
wall gif 3
great
wall gif 4
Music I | Music II
Play either of the above for appropriate music for browsing!
Course Outline
The course is based on seven thematic sections through which we
shall try to come to grips with Chinese culture. The seven sections are:-
In general we shall do one "class" per class meeting. To allow
some flexibility, however, I will not assign classes to specific dates. You will know what
to read next by where we are in the course.
Section 1: Introduction: The
Nature of Culture
Assignments
 Halsall: Nature of Culture
ü
Halsall: Culture Worksheet
ü
Image: Shia Celebration
of 10 Muharram
Image: Divinity: Shiva as
Lord of the Dance
Image: Shiva Lingam/Yoni
Image: Christ Crucified
Image: Christ
Crucified
Image: Christ
Crucified
Image: Page of Arabic
Script and Context
Image: Icon of BVM
Image: Buddha with
earth-touching mudra (bhumisparsha mudra)
Image: Buddha from
Thailand (touching ground)
Image: Picture of the Queen
Image: American Flag
WWW Extra: Yi Jing [the I
Ching]
WWW Extra: Yin and Yang in
Medical Theory
WWW Extra: Program: WinChing: -
Windows 3.1 computerized I Ching
Class Topics: The "foreignness" of China/foreignness of
the West - stereotypes and cultural traits. Ethnocentrism. Images of China and images of
the Chinese.
Section 2: Tiananmen:  Gate of Heavenly
Peace
Online
Self-Grading Quiz
Assignments
Documents on the Gate of Heavenly Peace
[all on the PBS
Tiananmen web site]
- GHP- Review with
Background Information ü
from Newsweek Inc. 1995
 GHP - Interview with Directors
ü
The GATE OF HEAVENLY PEACE Press Conference October 12, 1995, excepts by Henri Behar - GHP - Tiananmen Square Interpretations -
The official Government View ü
"The Truth About the Beijing Turmoil", Edited by the Editorial Board of The
Truth about the Beijing Turmoil
- GHP - Criticism Chinese Government and
Attempts to Stop the Film ü
Letter to the Director of the Washington DC International Film Festival from the Press
Counsel of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China, and a letter written in response
- GHP Criticism by Western Writers and Response
[and Re-Response] ü
The New York Review of Books (May 9, 1996)
- GHP - Criticism by Student Leaders ü
Article by Ye Ren, from The 90s, July August 1995
- GHP - The Modern Democracy Movement in Exile
and Gate of Heavenly Peace ü
Excerpt from "Totalitarian Nostalgia" in Geremie Barmé's In The Red:
Contemporary Chinese Culture, New York: Columbia University Press, forthcoming 1997.
- GHP Discussion 3: China, Post-1989 Intellectuals and
Foreigners ü
"To Screw Foreigners in Patriotic: China's Avant -Garde Nationalist" from
Geremie R. Barmé, From The China Journal, No. 34, July 1995.
- WWW Extra: Key Characters in the Film
- WWW Extra: Chronology of Tiananmen Square Events
- WWW Link: Audio
and Video Clips [only try if you have a very fast net connection]
- WWW Link: More
Online Reading on Gate of Heavenly Peace
Section 3: Jen: Geography,
Language, and Early History
Textbook:
Morton: 5-10 (land and people)
18-21 (language), xix-xx (spelling and pronunciation)
11-17 (Prehistoric origins)
22-28 (Zhou)
29-38 (Confucianism)
43-49 (Qin)
49-64 (Han)
64-70 (Han Culture)
71-75 (Six Kingdoms)
81-84 (Sui and Tang)
84-97 (Tang Culture)
98-112 (Medieval Culture)
Assignments
On Geography: Politics and Facts
On Language: Dialects and Languages
Map:
China - Linguistic Regions Map
Isaac Asimov: The Secret Sense ü
Chinese Language
and Pronunciation ü
Chinese Language
and Writing ü
Pinyin/Wade-Giles
Equivalencies ü
Chinese Logographic
Writing ü
Cecil Adams, Chinese Computing, The
Village Voice Dec 20, 1995
On Early History: Chinese history from the viewpoint of the
elite and the masses
Chronology ü
Sima Qian: Extracts
from Records of the Grand Historian, two biographies. ü
Sima Qian:The
Legalist Polices of the Qin ü
WWW Extra: Text: Selection of
Chinese Poems ü
WWW Extra: Chinese Food - Two
Texts ü
WWW Extra: Sunzi: The Art of War
[Other versions: The
Art of War. and The Art of War
] ü
Image: People: Sunzi Sun
tzu, author of the Art of War
WWW Extra: Chinese Dynastic
History
WWW Extra: Chinese
Ethnography*
Image: Hist. Site:
"Peking Man" - early human remains
Image: Hist. Site:
Longshan remains
Image: Hist. Site:
Yangshao remains
Image: Hist. Site: Xia remains
1
Image: Hist. Site: Xia Remains
2
Image: Art: Shang Oracle
Bones 1
Image: Art: Shang Oracle
Bones 2
Image: Art: Two Shang Bronze
Ritual Vessals
Image: Art: Shang Tomb
Guardian
Image: Art: Shang Bronze 1
Image: Art: Shang Bronze 2
WWW Link: Evolution Site
Image: People: The Duke of
Zhou
Image: People: Portrait of
First Emperor
Image: People: Another
Portrait of First Emperor
Image: People: Emperor
Huangdi
Image: Hist. Site:
Archeological Excavations at Qin Site
Image: Hist. Site: Tomb of
First Emperor at Xian, Lines of Soldier Statues
Image: Hist. Site: Tomb of
First Emperor at Xian, Soldier Statue close up
Image: Art: Qin Bronze 1
Image: Hist. Site: The
Great Wall 1
Image: Hist. Site: The
Great Wall 2
Image: Hist. Site: The
Great Wall 3
Image: Hist. Site.: The
Grand Canal in the 19th Century CE
Image: Map: China under Han
dynasty
Image: People: Founder of
Han Dynasty
Image: Art: Han Dynasty Jar
Map:
China in the 6th Century CE
Image: People: Founder of
Sui Dynasty
Image: People: Founder of
Tang Dynasty
Image: People: Second
Emperor of Tang Dynasty
Map:
Changan under the Tang dynasty
Image: People: The Empress
Wu
Image: Art: Tang Camel
Image: Art: Tang Lady 1
Image: Art: Tang Lady 2
Image: Art: Tang Horse
Image: Art: Tang Vase 1
Image: People: Founder of
Song Dynasty
Image: Map: China under the
Northern Song Dynasty
Image: Map: China under
Northern Song Dynasty
Image: Map: China Under
Southern Song Dynasty
Image: Art: River in Autumn color
Image: Art: Song Poet
Image: Art: Song Vase 1
Image: Song Painting:
Poetry Contest at Orchard Pavilion
Image: Song Painting: Bird
on Silk by Emperor Hui-tsang 1101-25 CE
Image: Technology: Early
Chinese Star Mapping
Image: Technology: Use of the
Plow in China
Image: Technology: Making of
Silk
Image: Technology: Chinese
Use of Paper
Image: Technology: Early
Paper Money
Image: Technology: Tang
Dynasty Coin
Image: Technology: The
earliest printed book - 868 CE
Image: Technology: Use of Tea
Image: Technology: Use of
Crossbow
Image: Technology: Chinese
Canon from 1368
Class Topics:
Geography: Chinese origins. Yellow River. Yangzi River. North and South,
Arable land. Notion of "Asia" and "Orient".
Language: Chinese language and Chinese writing.
"Language" and "dialect", "tones", "characters"
History: Evolution: humans in China. Origins of complex
societies. Shang China: archeology, oracle bones, bronzes,
buildings, human sacrifice. Chinese Cultural Coordinates: writing -jen, -yin/yang, dao,
the state, history, peasants. The Dynastic Cycle. Zhou dynasty: Mandate
of Heaven [Tian], chaos and classics [Confucius and Laozi]. Qin dynasty:
Qin Shi Huang-di, Legalism,Great Wal. Han Dynasty: state and
examinations, Changan, Central Asia and Rome. Science & Technology: seismograph,
compass, paper. Sui dynasty and "Reunification". Tang
Dynasty: state and rebellion, Tang art, typical pottery style, Tang Poetry-Li Bo and
Wang Wei. Technology: gunpowder, printing. Penetration of Japan and Korea. Penetration by
India. Song Dynasty: state, rice economy, art, poetry. Endurance of
Chinese World
Section 4: San Jiao: Chinese Religion
Textbook:
Morton: 29-38 (Confucianism)
42-44 (Mohism and Legalism)
113-114 (Neo-Confucianism)
38-42 (Daoism)
75-80 (Buddhism)
Assignments
On Confucianism
On Daoism
- Selection from the
Dao De Jing ü
- WWW Extra: The Dao De Jing Tao
Te Ching*, version 1, an Interpolation by Peter A. Merel (pete@extro.su.oz.au) based
upon the translations of: Lin Yutang, Ch'u Ta-Kao, Gia-Fu Feng & Jane English, Richard
Wilhelm and Aleister Crowley. complete, taken from internet site
- WWW Extra: The Dao De Jing Tao
Te Ching*, Tao Te Ching, version 2, complete, taken from a version on the internet.
- WWW Extra: The Dao De Jing Tao
Te Ching*, Tao Te Ching, version 3, complete, taken from a version by S.
Mitchell.
- WWW Extra: The Dao De Jing Tao
Te Ching*, Tao Te Ching, version 4, complete by Peter Merel, GNL Version.
- WWW Extra: Selections from the
Zhuangzi
- Image: Yin-Yang Symbol
- Image: People: Laozi
- Image: Divinity: Three Daoist
Gods
- Image: Divinity: The Three
Gods of Fortune [San Hsing]
- Image: Divinity: The God of
Wealth in His Civil Aspect
- Image: Divinity:
Wen-ch'ang, the Daoist God of Literature
- Image: Custom: Picture of
New Year's Dragon
On Buddhism
Class Topics:
Confucianism: Confucius: ren, li, junzi,
human nature, the state, respect, religion, life after death. Mohism. Legalism: Lord Shang
and Han fei. Confucianism vs. Legalism. Japan and Confucius. Neo-Confucianism: Zhu
Xi-li (form)/ and Oi (matter). Problems with Confucianism
Daoism: Nature. Laozi and the Dao De Jing. Zhuangzi: Wu
wei and the Tao of Physics. Daoism and Confucianism. Popular Daoism
Buddhism: Indian Religion. Gautama: dukkha, Middle
Path. Teaching: Dharma and Karma, Tripitaka,3 Precious Things (Jewels). Buddha, dharma.
sangha. Four Noble truths. Eightfold path. Sutras. Asoka 272-36 CE. Hinayana/Theravada.
Mahayana: Bodhisattvas, Maitreya/Mi-lo-fo/Pu-tai. Avalokitesvara/Guan yin.
Amitibha/Amida/O-mi-to-fo.. Buddhism in China: Kumarajiva/ Faxian. Buddhism and Taoism.
Lotus Sutra: Sukhavati/pure land.. Buddhist art. Vajrayana/Tibetan Buddhism -Tantra: Dalai
Lama. Chan Buddhism: Bodhidharma/Pu-di-da-mo and Hui-neng
Other Religions: Nestorianism. Judaism. Islam and
-contacts with Islamic world
Section 5: Chinese Gender Systems
Assignments
On Gender Systems and Sexuality
- The Homosexual
Tradition in China: Selections from Chinese Homosexual Literature ü
- Wu Tsao: China's Lesbian Poet ü
- Vivien W. Ng. "Homosexuality and the
State in Late Imperial China ", [in Martin Bauml Duberman, Martha Vincinus and George
Chauncey Jr., eds., Hidden From History: Reclaiming the Gay and Lesbian Past, (New
York: NAL, 1989), 76-89]
- Manifesto of 1996 Chinese Tongzhi
Conference ü
- Four Recent Press
Reports on Gay Life in China ü
- Mary M. Anderson, Hidden Power:
The Palace Eunuchs of Imperial China , (Buffalo NY: Prometheus, 1990), 15-18,
307-11 ü
- Death of China's
Last Eunuch, New York Times, December 1996, ü
- Image: Custom: A young
eunuch exposes effects of castration
On Women
Text: Ban Zhao Pan
Chao: Lessons for A Woman:The Views of A Female Confucian (c. 80 CE) ü
Margery Wolf, "Chinese Women: Old
Skills in a New Context ", in Michelle Zimbalist Rosaldo & Louise Lamphere, eds.,
Women, Culture, and Society , (Stanford CA: Stanford University Press, 1974),
157-72
Dorothy Ko, Teachers of the Inner
Chambers: Women and Culture in Seventeenth-Century China, (Stanford CA: Stanford
University Press, 1994), 1-26, 142-76
Tom Hilditch, A
Holocaust of Girls, from South China Morning Post ü
Pruitt, Ida, A Daughter of Han: The
Autobiography of a Chinese Working Woman by Ida Pruitt from the Story Told Her by Ning Lao
T'ai t'ai, (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1945, repr. Stanford CA; Stanford
University Press, 1967)
Daughter of Han Reading
Guide ü
Text: Women in
China: History and the Present ü
WWW Extra: Fu Xuan: Poem on
Woman (c, 3rd, Century CE)
WWW Extra: Women in China:
Press Reports
WWW Extra: Modern Marriage in
China - Two Texts ü
WWW Extra: NY Times Report on
Recent UN Women's Conference ü
Image: Custom: Picture of
Woman With Feet Unbound
Image: Custom: Picture of
Unbound Feet Close Up
Image: Custom: Woman with
bound feet (shoed)
Image: Custom: A bound
foot - closeup
Image: People: Ning Lao
T'ai-t'ai
Class Topics: Gender, eunuch, Mia Xia. Ban
Zhao, Patrilinearity, Bound Feet, Communist Marriage Ethic
Section 6: Zhong guo: China and the
World I
Textbook
Morton: 115-22 (Mongols)
123-27, 133-36 (Ming)
137-47 (Qing)
Assignments
|
![Taizong [Tai-tsung], second emperor](http://www.chinapage.com/rdragon.gif){kind=link}
![Taizu [Tai-tsu], first emperor](http://www.chinapage.com/h158bt.gif){kind=link}
![Taizu [Tai-tsu].](http://www.chinapage.com/h221bt.gif){kind=link}
![Divinity: The Three Gods of Fortune [San Hsing]](http://acc6.its.brooklyn.cuny.edu/~phalsall/images/sanhsing.gif){kind=link}
![Divinity: Buddha from Gupta Period [India]](http://acc6.its.brooklyn.cuny.edu/~phalsall/images/guptbudd.gif){kind=link}
