The Oldest History Of China

[dropcap]O[/dropcap]ne book is not enough for the history of China but what we intent to show with this is the fact that the Chinese history is much more interesting and foremost advanced than the people from the West perceive it to be.

 
The Chinese like to brag how they have in continuity the longest civilisation, over 5000 years old, which is not entirely accurate bearing in mind the ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. However, regardless of that, the Chinese development in the past centuries has been impressive. Three thousand years ago the Chinese were casting bronze and other types of alloy, cultivated wheat, rise, made silk and used written language with more than a thousand characters.

The Chinese technology has had influence much before the modern age on the world development. As an example, many connect crossbow with Middle age Europe but in fact it came from China approximately fifteen centuries earlier. Thousand years before the industrial revolution in England, the Chinese were using high steam iron ovens and advanced ovens on petrol kocks.

In 1918. a group of Homo Erectus phossiles dating from 500.000 B.C. were found in the vicinity of Beijing. Although they are not direct Chinese ancestors, the skull of the so called «Beijing man» was containing a brain two thirds of the size of the modern age man brain which provenly knew how to use fire and primitive tools made out of stone. The skull, sadly, was lost during WW II while being transported.

The first Homo Sapiens in this area date to 60.000 B.C.

In the period from 8000 to 2000 years B.C. there is a rise of settlements based on agrictultural economy in east coastal regions and along rich river valleys of the Yellow river and Yangze river. These early civilisations were motly relying on hunting and fishing but later on they would have started cultivating rise and wheat and millet. Dating back to 2700 B.C. evidence is found as proof of the use of tea and silk bugs for making cloth.

In the period from 2000 to 771. B.C. first Chinese dynasties are born as the founders of what will be later known as the state. These early dynasties were not truly united states but represented decentralised weak alliances of smaller powers.

The first Chinese dynasties have brought many discoveries such as the letter (Chinese wrote at first of turttle bones and started using silk and bamboo as a writing pad), first Chinese calendar was based on astronomy with a 60 day cycle, bronze is being used more often as well as bronze artefacts, first cities and fortresses are being built, as well, as especially rich and exquisit tombs for Chinese rulers.

The first Chinese emperor has come to power 22 centuries ago and the «heavenly mandate’ which he was awarded with understood constant care of the people which was continued by his successors. The concept of the «heavenly mandate» will become a dominating one and will influence Chinese history up to 1900 A.D. Based on this idea, the Sky gives wise rules the mandate to govern and takes it away from the ones who are evil and despicable. The mandate was used throughout the Chinese history for legitimising ruling dynasties as well as to reconsider governance in time of crisis.

The next 500 years up to 221 A.D. were crucial for the development and formation of China. Progress was mostly seen through the appearance and circulation of bronze coins as well as through revolutionary appearance of iron arms and arms that facilitated agricultural development but also warfare. In this period the first crossbow and equipment for horses appear. Caligraphy becomes more fluid and distinct with the introduction of writing brushes. However, what is most important is the blossoming of social philosophy and political theory known as the Hundred school of thoughts. This is the time when confuchianism and taoism are born as they will determine

Chinese history and China itself entirely.

Chinese history after the era of first dynasties represents a fascinating cycle of ups and downs namely alternate periods of peace and war. The most important role in this period was played by foreigners bearing in mind that China was ruled at the end of the 13th century by the Mongols and in the middle of 16th century by the Mandzucs. What is most important is that in the far East China was developing in parallel with western civilisations. Development in the far East does not fall behind the one in the West, on the contrary, it oftenly goes a few steps ahead of it.