2. Introduction
In ancient times China was a very different
civilization. Ancient China lasted over 5000
years, which was longer than any other
civilization. Ancient China was the area that is
now the western half of China . Ancient China is
interesting because it gave us great inventions
that are still important today. This report it
about the architecture, food, leisure and
legacies of ancient China.

3. Architecture
One of the most important features of Ancient China’s
architecture is the Great Wall. The Great Wall was built to
protect the dynasties. The first Emperor Qin wanted much
better rocks to protect his people from the Mongol invaders to
the north. He wanted a strong wall 30 feet wide and 50 feet
high. It took 3000 people to make the great wall and the
ancient Chinese worked on it for over 1700 years. In turn, each
emperor who came to power added pieces of the wall to
protect their dynasties. But the wall was not a solid wall. It was
a line of disconnected rocks. Still, people today are amazed by
the Great Wall as a piece of architecture.

4. Food
The Ancient Chinese people ate a variety of foods. The poor
people ate meat sometimes, but not often. They hunted to eat
wild animals or ate chickens that did not lay eggs. But mostly, the
poor people ate bland rice and beans. Rich people ate many kinds
of meat such as pork, chicken, lamb, goose, dogs, snails, small
bird and snake. In the south people ate mainly rice. In the
north, people ate cereal called millet and some breads. In Ancient
China, people used chopsticks to eat and they used their
hands, too. As you can see, the food people ate in Ancient China
depended on whether they were rich or poor, and where they
lived.

5. Leisure
Leisure activities were important to the ancient
Chinese people. Everyone loved hunting, soccer and
playing with cards. People often told stories or
wrote letters to each other. Poor people listened to
musicians and acrobats who performed in the
streets. Many of these leisure activities can still be
seen in China today.

6. Legacies
The ancient Chinese made 4 great inventions that are important legacies: the
compass, gunpowder, paper and printing. The compass and it was invented in
200 BC. The Chinese found that when a magnetic rock floats in the water or
hangs from a string, it points north. They used this to make sure the houses
faced the right way. China’s first compass was like a spoon that spun around.
The compass was important for trade by ship. The ancient Chinese also were
the first to make gunpowder but they started with a firebomb. They used
fireworks to scare their enemies. Paper was invented in 100 CE. The fibers
from a plant called hemp were soaked [put in the water] until it was mushy
pulp. Then used a wooden frame with fine mesh to lift a layer of pulp. When it
was dry, it was good for writing on. The Chinese began using woodblocks for
printing in 1600 BCE. First, the wood blocks were carved with characters, then
dipped in ink then paper was put on the blocks. A very fast way to make
books is to use bamboo. Printing machines are still used to make books
today. The four great inventions of ancient China are important legacies for
the world.

7. Ancient China was a great civilization because of
the legacies and inventions that help us today.
One of the most important features of Ancient
China’s architecture is the Great Wall. Leisure
activities were important to the ancient Chinese
people, too. The Ancient Chinese people ate a
variety of foods. It is interesting to learn about
ancient history.

8. Reference List
Author Date Title
Jane Shuter 1997-2007 The Ancient China
Paul Challen 2005 Life in Ancient China
Joanna Bruce Degen 2005 Ms. Frizzle’s adventures IMPERIAL CHINA
Robert Nicholson 1994 Ancient China
Claire Watts
Anita Caner 1999 Ancient China
Date accessed Website
25.10.12 www.brainpopjr.com