This document provides background information on early Chinese history and culture. It discusses important figures like Peking Man, the Yellow River Civilization, and the mythical creator Pan-Gu. It then outlines the four major river valley cultures and some of the earliest Chinese dynasties like the Hsia, Shang, and Zhou, highlighting important artifacts, inventions, and cultural developments during each period. Finally, it introduces the concept of "T'ien Ming," the Chinese philosophy of the Mandate of Heaven which justified changes in ruling dynasties.