In ancient China, society was strictly structured around family roles, with the father in charge and different expectations for men and women. People's social status determined factors like their jobs, education, and clothing. The wealthy wore silk while commoners wore cheaper fabrics. Food varied regionally but included rice, millet, vegetables, meat, eggs, and tea. Ancient Chinese inventions that still impact modern society include gunpowder, paper, printing, and the compass.

1. By Professor Sarthak Dayal
(Historian)

2. Introduction
Ancient China was located where the western half of
modern day China is now. It began about 8000
years ago when people started to live together in
communities around China’s important rivers. It
lasted over 5000 years, longer than any other
civilization. Ancient China was a very different
civilization than it is today. This report will tell you
about the clothing, food, legacies and structure of
society of ancient China.

3. Structure of society
In ancient China, society was structured so that people had different
roles. The father was the head of the family. Everyone had to obey the
father. They also had to respect the old people. The men worked in
businesses outside of the home. The women’s job was to look after the
children. The poor women’s job was to work in the fields or as a servant.
The rich woman had no work to do. Children followed there father’s
trades. The wealthy families paid for the intelligent boys to go to the
school. People usually had jobs in the same place as they were born.

4. Clothing
In ancient China people wore different kind of clothing depending on
their wealth. The farmer’s clothes were made of inexpensive fabric
which was very comfortable. The wealthy people wore really expensive
silk fabric. Most people wore the same style of clothes. Women’s
summer clothes were made of cotton. Women’s winter clothes were
made of wool. Emperor and his nobles wore richly decorated.

5. Food
There was a variety of food in ancient China. Rice was very
famous. Rice could be made into cakes, dumplings and wine.
People chopped their food, put it in a hot bowl and cooked it
really fast. Most people rarely eat meat. Cows were not
common so there was no cheese and no milk. Most people
only ate eggs and chicken. If people didn’t have food they went
hunting or fishing. Really rich people ate many kinds of meat,
for example pork, chicken , lamb and also geese. Everyone ate
vegetables, fruits and also bread. In the south, they ate rice
and in the north people ate a cereal called Millet. People drank
a lot of Chinese tea or rice wine in ancient times.

6. Legacies
Gunpowder
One of the most important inventions of ancient China’s was
gunpowder. It was invented in 19th century. It was discovered
by a scientist who was trying to make a drink that would make
people live forever, but when he was making it, it exploded! It
was made with salt, peter, sulphur and also carbon. The
ancient Chinese used gunpowder in fireworks to scare their
enemies. Later, it was used for weapons. People still use
gunpowder today to build weapons, guns, bombs, rockets and
fireworks.

7. Conclusion
The ancient Chinese left us a lot of wonderful things.
They were a very creative and interesting society.
They had unique ways of eating, dressing and
organizing their society. They invented many things.
Legacies such as paper, printing, the compass and
gunpowder are still used today. The ancient Chinese
have really impacted how we live today.

8. REFERENCE LIST
Author Date Title
Joann Cole 2005 Ms. Frizzlets adventurers
Jane Shuter 1998 The ancient chines
Robert Nichlson 1994 Ancient China
Linda Naily 2003 Adventurers in ancient China
Date accessed website
251012 www.Brainpopjr.com