This document provides an overview of early Chinese history from Peking Man to the dynastic cycle of imperial China. It summarizes key periods such as the Yellow River Civilization, the Xia and Shang dynasties characterized by oracle bones and bronzes, and the Western and Eastern Zhou dynasties marked by ritual vessels, coins, and the development of the Mandate of Heaven ideology. Artifacts presented include plaques, daggers, urns, and dancer pendants that demonstrate the evolution of Chinese culture over millennia.

1. Ms. Susan M. PojerMs. Susan M. Pojer
Horace Greeley HS Chappaqua, NYHorace Greeley HS Chappaqua, NY
Ms. Susan M. PojerMs. Susan M. Pojer
Horace Greeley HS Chappaqua, NYHorace Greeley HS Chappaqua, NY

3. ““Peking ManPeking Man””
(750,000 – 500,000 BCE)(750,000 – 500,000 BCE)
SinanthropusSinanthropus
pekinesispekinesis

4. Yellow River CivilizationYellow River Civilization

5. Neolithic PotteryNeolithic Pottery
3000 BCE to3000 BCE to
2000 BCE2000 BCE

6. The 4 Old-WorldThe 4 Old-World
River Valley CulturesRiver Valley Cultures

7. Pan-Gu:Pan-Gu: Mythical Creator ofMythical Creator of
the Universethe Universe

8. ““Chung KuoChung Kuo””
(The(The ““Middle KingdomMiddle Kingdom””))

10. Yu, the Great – FounderYu, the Great – Founder
of the Hsiaof the Hsia

11. ““HuangdiHuangdi”” – Emperor– Emperor
 TheThe ““YellowYellow
Emperor.Emperor.””
 Legend has it thatLegend has it that
he ruled for overhe ruled for over
100 years.100 years.
 Associated with theAssociated with the
invention ofinvention of
wheeled vehicles,wheeled vehicles,
ships, armor,ships, armor,
pottery, andpottery, and
silk-making.silk-making.

12. Emperor FuxiEmperor Fuxi
 Mythical HsiaMythical Hsia
ruler.ruler.
 Taught theTaught the
Chinese howChinese how
to read andto read and
write,write,
according toaccording to
legend.legend.

13. Hsia Plaque, 1700 BCEHsia Plaque, 1700 BCE

15. Bronze Age EmpiresBronze Age Empires

16. Shang: 1523-1028 BCEShang: 1523-1028 BCE

17. Oracle BonesOracle Bones

18. Oracle Bones CalendarOracle Bones Calendar

19. The Evolution of ChineseThe Evolution of Chinese
Writing during the ShangWriting during the Shang
PictographsPictographs Semantic-PhoneticsSemantic-Phonetics

20. Axe Scepter –Axe Scepter – 1100 BCE1100 BCE - jade- jade
Ceremonial Dagger –Ceremonial Dagger – 1028 BCE1028 BCE

21. ShangShang
UrnUrn

22. Shang BronzesShang Bronzes

23. Ritual Wine Vessel – bronze, 13c BCERitual Wine Vessel – bronze, 13c BCE

25. Western Zhou: 1027-771 BCEWestern Zhou: 1027-771 BCE

26. Eastern Zhou: 771-256 BCEEastern Zhou: 771-256 BCE

27. Ritual Food Vessel, bronzeRitual Food Vessel, bronze
11c BCE11c BCE (Western Zhou)(Western Zhou)

28. Pendant of a Dancer - jadePendant of a Dancer - jade
3c BCE (Eastern Zhou)3c BCE (Eastern Zhou)

29. Ritual Wine Vessel – 4cRitual Wine Vessel – 4c
bronze, silver, gold, copperbronze, silver, gold, copper

30. Zhou Coins - bronzeZhou Coins - bronze

31. ““TT’’ien Mingien Ming””
The Mandate of HeavenThe Mandate of Heaven
1.1.The leader must lead by ability andThe leader must lead by ability and
virtue.virtue.
2.2.The dynasty's leadership must beThe dynasty's leadership must be
justified by succeeding generations.justified by succeeding generations.
3.3.The mandate could be revoked byThe mandate could be revoked by
negligence and abuse; the will ofnegligence and abuse; the will of
the people was important.the people was important.

32. The
Dynastic
Cycle
The
Dynastic
Cycle
A new
dynasty
comes to power.
A new
dynasty
comes to power.
Lives of common
people improved;
taxes reduced;
farming encouraged.
Lives of common
people improved;
taxes reduced;
farming encouraged.
Problems begin
(extensive wars,
invasions, etc.)
Problems begin
(extensive wars,
invasions, etc.)
Taxes increase;
men forced to
work for army.
Farming neglected.
Taxes increase;
men forced to
work for army.
Farming neglected.
Govt. increases
spending;
corruption.
Govt. increases
spending;
corruption.
Droughts,
floods,
famines occur.
Droughts,
floods,
famines occur.
Poor lose
respect for govt.
They join rebels
& attack landlords.
Poor lose
respect for govt.
They join rebels
& attack landlords.
Rebel bands find
strong leader who
unites them.
Attack the emperor.
Rebel bands find
strong leader who
unites them.
Attack the emperor.
Emperor is
defeated !!
Emperor is
defeated !!
The emperor
reforms the govt.
& makes it more
efficient.
The emperor
reforms the govt.
& makes it more
efficient.
Start here