Ancient China developed around 8,000 years ago along major river valleys. The civilization lasted longer than any other ancient civilization. People's diets and housing differed depending on wealth, with rice and wheat as staples. Architecture featured curved roofs to ward off spirits, and the Great Wall was an engineering marvel. Inventions included the compass, printing, paper, and gunpowder, which all still impact modern society. Chinese writing used characters instead of alphabets and was developed on materials like bones, bamboo, and silk.

1. Ancient China
By: Kazuki (Li)

2. Introduction
China is a very big country in Asia. China has had a long history.
Ancient China was a very different civilization from modern China.
The civilization began about 8,000 years ago, when people settled in
areas of the northeast and beside three great rivers, the Yellow River
in the north, the Wei River in the northwest and the Yangzi River in
the south. The Chinese civilization lasted longer than any other
ancient civilization. Ancient China was located in the area that is now
the western half of China. China invented many things that have
lasted for a long time. In this report you will learn about
food, architecture, legacies and writing and language.

3. Food
In ancient China people’s food was different according to where they
lived. In the south, people grew rice and in the north, they grew
wheat. They drank tea more than any other drink (except water).
People cooked their food very quickly, with everything in one pot
(ding). They chopped vegetables very small. In ancient China, rice
was a very important food because it could make
cakes, porridge, dumplings and wine. Most people rarely eat meat.
Poor peoples ate chicken’s eggs and then ate chickens which
stopped laying eggs. They also hunted for wild animals. Wealthy
peoples ate many kinds of meats, for example
pork, chicken, lamb, goose, pig and ox. On special occasions, they
also ate snakes, dogs, snails and small birds.

4. Architecture
In ancient China, most architecture had curved roofs to keep out evil
spirits (because curved roofs could confuse them). Rich people’s
houses were built around huge courtyards. Their houses were made
of painted wood and roofed with pottery tiles. Poor people’s houses
were built from muds and thatch. They built floors below ground level
to keep warm.
In ancient China, the Great Wall was an amazing piece of
architecture. It was built by Emperor Qin Shi Huang. The Great Wall
is 3,700 miles long and between 16 feet and 32 feet high. Watch
towers are located every 290 feet along the wall.

5. Legacies
In ancient China, they were 4 important inventions.
In 200B.C.E., the Chinese made compasses by using magnetic rock. They used
string to hang the rock in the water and then it pointed north. They first used
compasses to make sure their houses pointed the right way. Compasses were very
important for trade.
In 1680B.C.E., the Chinese invented printing with wooden blocks. In 1040B.C.E.
they invented moveable type. Moveable type was easier than wooden blocks for
printing. Printing requires paper, ink and a surface carved with letters or other
symbols. Chinese monks developed a method of printing using marble pillars. They
applied wet paper to carved sections of the pillars, which were coated in ink. Printing
helped the Chinese to copy writing so many people could read it.
In 100A.D.E., they invented paper by using fibers from plants. They used a wooden
frame with fine mesh to lift a layer of pulp. When it was dry, it was good for writing.
Gun powder was invented in 9th Century. It was discovered by a scientist who was
trying to make a drink that can make you live forever. The ancient Chinese used it for
fire works to scare their enemies. Next they used gun powder in weapons such as
bombs and rockets. It is still used today in weapons and fireworks.

6. Writing and Language
Ancient Chinese writing and language is very different from European
writing and language. In 1400B.C.E., the Chinese wrote letters and
numbers on animal’s bones. Later, they wrote on bamboo strips and
silk. In 400B.C.E., the first books were made on wood. Most people in
ancient China didn’t know how to write. Chinese writing uses
characters, or symbols to represent words and ideas. Over many
years, the characters changed to be more simple so it was quicker
and easier to write. In 100A.D.E. china invented paper, which helped
people write more easily, quickly and cheaply. In ancient China, they
used brushes to write and draw. Ink was made from plants and the
plants had many colors, such as red, brown, blue and green. The
black ink was made from soot (carbon). They made solid blocks of
ink with glue, then wet the block with the brush. The brushes were
made from animal’s hair and the handles were made from bamboo.

7. Conclusion
Ancient China was an interesting place. The ancient Chinese people
developed unique spoken and written language, food customs and
architecture. They invented many important things we still use
today, such as gun powder, printing, paper and the compass. We
should be thankful to the ancient Chinese for all that they have given
us.

8. REFERENCE LIST
Author Date Title
Joanna Cole 2005 Ms.Frizzles Adventures
Imperial China
Paul Challen 2005 Life In Ancient China
Philp Steele 1998 Step into the Chinese
Empire
Ivan Minnis 2005 You are in … Ancient China
Date accessed Website
25.10.12 www.brainpopjr.com