Ancient historyLesson 1 of 3 in the course Asia in Ancient Times

From Neolithic China to the Qin Empire

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

This lesson explores the earliest human communities in China and the varied Neolithic cultures that developed across its regions. Geography and climate shaped how people found food, built homes, and organized their communities.

Humans lived in the Chinese subcontinent more than a million years ago. Fossils of Homo erectus, including remains known as Peking Man, were found in northern China. Homo sapiens appeared later, around 100,000 years ago. Paleolithic hunter-gatherers followed animals, fished in rivers and along the coast, and gathered plants, roots, and grains.

All flashcards

How did Neolithic life differ from Paleolithic life?
Neolithic communities increasingly farmed, domesticated animals, made textiles, and produced ceramics; Paleolithic communities relied mainly on hunting, fishing, and gathering.
What is loess?
Fine, fertile sediment associated with the Yellow River region that can be carried by wind and water.
What are Shang oracle bones?
Turtle shells and animal bones used for divination and inscribed with records associated with Shang rule.
What was the Mandate of Heaven?
The Zhou claim that a dynasty could rule only while it governed morally and maintained order.
What did Qin Shi Huang standardize?
Writing, coins, and laws across the empire.

Quiz questions

  1. What were records of Shang divination questions carved on turtle shells and animal bones called?Answer: Oracle bones.
  2. In Daoist political thought, what does wuwei encourage rulers to do?Answer: Avoid unnecessary interference in people's lives.
  3. What roles did Shang kings hold according to Shang political and religious practice?Answer: They served as military leaders and high priests.
  4. Which systems did Qin Shi Huang standardize across the empire?Answer: Writing, coins, and laws.
  5. Which Qin institution did the Han retain after the Qin Empire collapsed?Answer: A centralized bureaucracy.

Based on World History Volume 1, to 1500 by Ann Kordas, Ryan J. Lynch, Brooke Nelson, Julie Tatlock (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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