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Ancient China • • • • Oldest continuous civilization in the world Began around 3000 BC along river valleys Most important along Huang He (Yellow) River Developed in virtual isolation from rest of the world “Middle Kingdom”—center of universe Geographical Influences • Mountains, sea, and desert provide some protection and isolation • Vulnerable to northwest • River valleys 1. Yellow(Huang Ho) earliest civilization - damaging floods 2. Yangtzevery important in unificationtransportation- irrigation The Xia and Shang Dynasties • According to legend, China founded by Yu the Great, who began the Xia Dynasty. • No archaeological evidence • First documented dynasty is the Shang (1700-1000 BC) Earliest Civilizations- most isolated • Earliest- Neolithic- Ban Po- similar to other parts of the world/ one of the oldest • Shang Dynasty 1500-11 BCE in N China along the Huang He- raised silk worms- silk part of lure and fascination of China, famous for bronze sculpture, daggers, jade jewelry paid homage to ancestors- family important • Chou (Zhou) 1027-256, longest-developed foundations for Chinese society Religion and Society • Mandate of Heaven—good/bad events were result of rulers abilities • Created Divine Right concept, but with idea that bad rulers would lose mandate and should be deposed • Dynastic kingdoms • Complex written language • Bronze tools and weaponry Decline • Shang Dynasty plagued by weak rulers in later years • Finally overthrown by Wu, who established the Zhou Dynasty which lasted over 800 years