SIMRAN PERSAUD

400020837

Chinese History Essay

The Development of Chinese Civilisation: Evolution to

Warring States Period
China’s history of civilisation is one that traces 1.7 million years of
history from prehistoric existence to its neolithic existence. From the
evolution that began from the Yuanmou man to the fracturing of the Zhou
Dynasty at the end of the Warring States Period, the many developments
within this timeline constituted the very genesis of Chinese civilisation. This
origin would persevere throughout modern Chinese history and manifest
itself in contemporary Chinese society. By examining the evolution of
prehistoric man, the existence of the cultures of northern neolithic cultures,
as well as the dynastic timeline of the Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasties, a
relatively comprehensive perspective of the development of Chinese
Civilisation and their cultural, religious, philosophical as well as technological
developments can be interpreted, one that is able to regard it as the
beginning of China’s multifaceted existence.

The foundation for the birth of civilisation begins with the evolution of
man. First in evolutionary timeline was the earliest man found in China, the
Yuanmou Man. Insinuated to have lived a nomadic-type lifestyle the Yuanmou
man was of the classification homo-erectus. Fossilized teeth and stone tools
uncovered in Yunnan Province are the archaeological findings which dates
back 1.7 million years. Given this extensive time, illustrates is how early man
were able to conjure some sense of technology with tools. This precedent of
technology would flourish further with the successive species of prehistoric
man.

After the existence of the Yuanmou Man was the Lantian Man. Of the
specimen homo-erectus, evidence of a cranium and mandible found in
Shaanxi Province in China places the Lantian man around 1.1 million years
ago. Akin to the Yuanmou man, the Lantian man also crafted stone tools such
as chopper, scrapes and spheroids, indicating a consistent prowess in
technology. In continuation would be the Peking Man, of the species homo-
erectus as well. A cave site at Zhoukoudian, proximal to Beijing, found that
the Peking man had inhabited the area for over 200,000 years. Having
occupied the cave for such an extensive period, the cave site was found to
have evidence of biological, technological and social evolution. For instance,
Peking man were said to have discovered fire and utilised it in cooking.
Through fossils and artifacts, their tools and hunting practices were
discovered. Additionally, an increase in cranial capacity was notable,
indicating a sign of evolution which furthered into the existence of the homo-
sapien Upper Cave Man. Fossils also uncovered in Zhoukoudian district in
1993 places the Upper Cave Man as a species of relative similarity to modern
day man. In terms of height, limb length and cranial capacity, this
exemplified a depiction of features relative to the contemporary human
beings. They were also in possession of tools and other ornaments which
indicate a sense of technical skills and artistic sense. Therefore, we can see
how the evolution of prehistoric man sets an impressive precedent of
development which would be furthered through the existence of coming
cultures.

The neolithic cultures of Northern China were delineated through

archaeological evidence excavated from the central plains of China, known
as the “cradle of Chinese Civilisation” many of which establish consistent
connection to the Yellow River Basin.

The Yangshao culture, renown as the painted pottery culture, was

found to be rooted in Henan, Shanxi and Shaanxi. While, having not used
pottery wheels, they were still able to produce pottery with distinct features,
painted in fine white, red and black. They also featured patterns reminiscent
of human faces, animals and geometric designs. Additionally, utilised stone
tools, domesticated animals, cultivated millet and produced silk. They were
ancient villages that lead a “sedentary way of life and use of pottery.”

The Hongshan Culture was another neolithic culture that thrived in the
northeast of China from 4700 to 2900 BCE. They were distinguished by their
carved jade culture. The burial artifacts of the Hongshan culture are some of
the earliest known pieces of jade carving which featured pig dragon and
embryo dragons. Its exquisite nature and significance in burial regiments
insinuates a social structure. It is labelled as a three-tier elite system
whereby the hierarchical placement is indicated by the complexity of the
burial practices; the more elaborate, the more jade, the higher the status in
essence. Additionally, the existence of jade as a novel piece in burial is an
indicator of the need for items beyond pragmatic use.

The Longshan Culture existed in a period from about 2600-2700 BC.

The significant features of the Longshan were the black pottery and walled
settlements. This culture, unlike the Yangshao created and utilised the fast-
spinning potter’s wheel to create their ornate pottery. The creation and
subsequent vitality of walled settlement indicates a need for defence against
exterior threats as well a certain degree of political structure given the need
for defence. Their use of bronze was also a feature in their rising cities. They
were able to showcase a development in political realms as well as
innovations in technology.

The Erlitou culture which spanned from 1900-1500 BCE was regarded
as the initial state level society in China. It was a culture which evidently
thrived in the Yellow River Valley. As trailblazing architects in the likes of
bronze, it was integrated into ancestral offerings, a step beyond
technological advancement. Wine vessels, goblets and food vessels were
made of bronze and a part of the processes of the elite.

Akin to its initialised sense of existence, so to was the Xia, the first
dynasty among Chinese historical records. Regarded largely as a
mythological dynasty, it has yet to be solidified through archaeological
evidence. Legends of the Xia dynasty include a man named Yu, depicted to
have stopped a great flood was also a part of establishing a hereditary
system of ruling. His son Qi succeeded him, who after, his son Jie succeeded
him. However, he was overthrown by the founder of the Shang Dynasty,
Tang. This is also a part of the notion that the Xia Dynasty’s existence was
propelled by Shang Dynasty Mythology. However, some scholars regard
Erlitou sites as possible Xia Dynasty capitals due to their characteristic
pottery, bronze items, urban organisation as well as timeline coincidence.
However, it is discredited by some as the speculation finds a need to be
solidified by archaeological evidence. Therefore, while being largely
mythological, its lack of omission renders its significance as a precursor to
the dynastic evolution of China.

As aforementioned, the Xia dynasty was of mythological nature, it can

be said that the Shang Dynasty founded in 18 th century BC, may be the first
dynasty of Chines History on technicality. Yet, it is still regarded as the
second historic Chinese dynasty. It featured a thriving economic climate
whereby bronze technology had a monopolistic sense of operation,
developments in their calendar, religious ancestor worship, horse drawn
chariots and writing systems flourished, having been invented within this
dynastic period. This dynasty was said to have 520 major sites with large
populations and thousands of burial sites. Their characteristic reading
system invented stemmed from their oracle bone reading practices,
recognised as the earliest forms of writing in Chinese history. This innovation
can be largely regarded as the pinnacle of Chinese history as their writing
system is one of the most distinct and unique in the history of human
civilisation. Some scholars even are of the belief that the term “Zhongguo”,
originated within this dynasty. The Shang Dynasty came to an end in the 12 th
century, after being overthrown by the Wu Wang, the founder of the
incoming Zhou Dynasty. The transitory event from the Shang to the Zhou
solidified a sense of militaristic activity in China and the birth of a cycle of
overthrowing leaders and establishing new dynasties, a historical trend that
would persist for years to come.

The last dynasty in the historic dynastic trilogy is the infamous Zhou
Dynasty. Having lasted for almost 800 years, it spanned from the 12 th
century to the 3rd century which saw the finality of the dynasty in the
Warring States period. A feudal system was the main framework of operation
for the which the Zhou functioned: the individual states pledging their
allegiance to the emperor until later, where they competed for dominance.
Unlike the preceding dynasties, this resulted in a fragmentation in
leadership, the ruling family splitting into the eastern and western Zhou. The
Western Zhou in Shaanxi was characterized by hierarchical system.
Aristocratic families within this dynasty were the ones regarded as lords
within their demarcations. The Eastern Zhou’s defeat in 771 BC resulted in
the capital’s relocation to Henan. There was a decline of centralized authority
and rise in competition among the states which had a sense of autonomy.
This burgeoning feud resulted in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States
period which initiated and intensified consistent warfare and political
instability, whose aftermath would manifest in the era of disunity
forthcoming. Regardless of the tumultuous times that ensued, there was an
almost contradictory existence of philosophy known as the Hundred Schools
of Thought. As opposed to the darkness of war, there was the enlightenment
of knowledge and religion through Daoism, Ying-Yang, Legalism, Mohism and
notably, Confucianism. This event in Chinese history is one that permanently
altered the trajectory of Chinese civilization’s history. Confucianism became
the undeniable backbone of Chinese society, its dominance unfaltering in
contemporary society. Additionally, the mastery of bronze persisted, with its
use integrated religious and political hegemony. Notably, the notion which
would also hold a similar degree of significance in Chinese History is the
emergence of the mandate of heaven. The mandate of heaven would enable
the consistent cycle of the birth and end of a dynastic cycle that would
persist throughout the beginning to the end of historic China by bestowing or
removing a person’s right to rule. This is clear of how the Zhou dynasty
permanently altered the trajectory of China’s history through bronze
mastery, philosophical and religious enlightenment, the mandate of heaven
as well as through the first event of fragmentation.

Conclusively, the historic evolution of Chinese civilisation is one that

courses a grand 1.7 million years of development. Evolutionary man,
neolithic cultures and dynastic formation manifested itself into technological
development, socio-political organization, religious and philosophical
enlightenment which created precedents that would set the tone and climate
for the civilisations that precede it to flourish or fragment. However, as the
cycle continues, the rebirth of a dynasty will continue to create new
innovations that would further propel Chinese Civilisation into the stately
existence it is regarded as, exemplifying its resilience as the forefront of
human civilization.

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