Ancient China: A History surveys the East Asian Heartland Region – the geographical area that eventually became known as China – from the Neolithic period through the Bronze Age, to the early imperial era of Qin and Han, up to the threshold of the medieval period in the third century CE. For most of that long span of time there was no such place as "China"; the vast and varied territory of the Heartland Region was home to many diverse cultures that only slowly coalesced, culturally, linguistically, and politically, to form the first recognizably Chinese empires. The field of Early China Studies is being revolutionized in our time by a wealth of archaeologically recovered texts and artefacts. Major and Cook draw on this exciting new evidence and a rich harvest of contemporary scholarship to present a leading-edge account of ancient China and its antecedents. With handy pedagogical features such as maps and illustrations, as well as an extensive list of recommendations for further reading, Ancient China: A History is an important resource for undergraduate and postgraduate courses on Chinese History, and those studuing Chinese Culture and Society more generally.

In ancient China, a young boy named Little Pear, who has a knack for finding trouble in his small village, stows away to the fair in a wheelbarrow full of vegetables, nearly flies away with a kite, and is rescued from the river by a houseboat family. Illustrations.

The Cambridge History of Ancient China provides a survey of the institutional and cultural history of pre-imperial China.

This richly illustrated book provides a glimpse into the belief system and the material wealth of the social elite in pre-Imperial China through a close analysis of tomb contents and excavated bamboo texts. The point of departure is the textual and material evidence found in one tomb of an elite man buried in 316 BCE near a once wealthy middle Yangzi River valley metropolis. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of cosmological symbolism and the nature of the spirit world. The author shows how illness and death were perceived as steps in a spiritual journey from one realm into another. Transmitted textual records are compared with excavated texts. The layout and contents of this multi-chambered tomb are analyzed as are the contents of two texts, a record of divination and sacrifices performed during the last three years of the occupant’s life and a tomb inventory record of mortuary gifts. The texts are fully translated and annotated in the appendices. A first-time close-up view of a set of local beliefs which not only reflect the larger ancient Chinese religious system but also underlay the rich intellectual and artistic life of pre-Imperial China. With first full translations of texts previously unknown to all except a small handful of sinologists.

Ancient China may have existed thousands of years ago, but its civilization was incredibly rich with culture. This book explores the clues that have been left behind from this fascinating civilization. Specifically looking at artifacts, the main text invites readers to analyze items from Ancient China and draw conclusions following the questions and prompts. From the bamboo staff to oracle bones, these items help young learners learn about a culture that existed so long ago, and get them ready for the challenge of thinking like an archaeologist themselves.

A critical new interpretation of the early history of Chinese civilization based on the most recent scholarship and archaeological discoveries.

Travel back to Ancient China to see emperors in palaces, traders on the Silk Road and soldiers guarding the Great Wall. With lively illustrations and flaps to lift, this book tells China's amazing history - a story of invading armies, incredible inventions and stunning works of art.