You are here
- They emerged independently in the fertile river plains .
- Harnessing agricultural productivity and incorporating new resources helped economic growth .
- This economic growth led to the emergence of urban cities in all these major centres.
- They developed social and administrative systems independently to ensure and enhance economic growth.
- The development of writing systems enabled early societies to record economic transactions and social activities .
- Over time, writing also led to the composition of literary and creative texts .
Main point: many of our cultural ethos have their roots in the Bronze Age civilisations.
Independently means on their own, without copying each other. Ethos means the characteristic ideas and values of a people.
"Bronze Age civilisations developed independently but shared common features." Examine this statement with reference to the civilisations given in the chapter.
Zhou rulers were believed to be appointees of heaven - but could be dismissed when their people did not prosper .
The name China probably comes from the Qin dynasty, and China gave the world paper currency and civil service by examination .
Show answer
The Huang He (Yellow River) and the Yangtze
Show answer
Animal bones and tortoise shells
Show answer
Archery, horsemanship, calculations, writing and music
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| 7000 BCE | Neolithic cultures in the Huang He and Yangtze valleys |
| 4000-3000 BCE | Silk known to the Chinese from the Neolithic period |
| 2000 BCE | Bronze Age begins - copper/bronze metallurgy introduced |
| 1600 BCE | Urban centres begin to emerge; Shang dynasty begins |
| 1500 BCE | Chinese society is sharply divided into classes |
| 1046 BCE | Zhou dynasty begins |
| 680 BCE onwards | The first walls of the Great Wall are built |
| 600 BCE | Iron Age begins in China |
| 5th century BCE | A money economy develops |
| 256 BCE | Zhou dynasty ends |
| 221-206 BCE | Qin dynasty - first imperial dynasty, unifies China |
| 2nd century BCE | Silk becomes a major export - the Silk Route |
| 206 BCE - 220 CE | Han dynasty |
| 17th century CE | Expansion and repair of the Great Wall finally stops |
