Presentation Transcript
Ancient China :Ancient China The Middle Kingdom
Geography :Geography isolated by natural barriers
mountains, jungles, deserts
led to belief that China was center of Earth, sole source of civilization
some contact w/ traders and invaders
Geography :Geography Huang He (Yellow) River
loess = fine yellow soil carried in the river
loess settles, water level rises
dikes built to keep river from overflowing
Huang He River :Huang He River
Shang China :Shang China 1650 – 1027 BCE
centered on Huang He
dynasty = ruling family
kings ruled a small area, loyal clans held the rest
Shang China :Shang China social structure
royal family/nobles
artisans and merchants
peasant farmers
Religion :Religion polytheistic
“ancestor worship”
believed gods wouldn’t respond to mere mortals
spirits of great mortals can influence gods
Religion :Religion yin and yang
balance of two forces
yin = Earth, darkness, female, cool, wet
yang = Heaven, light, male, warm, dry
Writing :Writing oldest examples found on oracle bones
combination of pictographs, ideographs
over 10,000 characters
developed calligraphy
writing united China
Oracle bone :Oracle bone