Late Prehistoric China | Bronze Age China | Chu and Other Cultures | Early Imperial China

Teaching Activities | Resources | Chronology | Pronunciation Guide/Glossary

Chronology

Paleolithic Period, c. 1,700,000-8000 B.C.

Neolithic and Chalcolithic Periods, c. 8000-2000 B.C.

c. 8000 B.C. beginnings of agriculture

c. 6000-5000 B.C. first jade work

Yangshao Culture, c. 5000-3000 B.C.

c. 3000 B.C. beginnings of silk and lacquer production

Hongshan Culture, c. 4700-2920 B.C.

Liangzhu Culture, c. 3300-2200 B.C.

Taosi Longshan Culture, c. 2500-1900 B.C.

Xia Dynasty, c. 2100-1600 B.C.

Erlitou Culture, c. 1900-1500 B.C.

Shang Dynasty, c. 1600-1050 B.C.

c. 1500-1300 B.C. development of bronze casting

c. 1400-1200 B.C. earliest Chinese script

Zhou Dynasty, c. 1050-221 (256) B.C.

Western Zhou, c. 1050-771 B.C.

Eastern Zhou, c. 770-221 (256) B.C.

    Spring and Autumn Period 770-476 B.C.

    Warring States Period 475-221 B.C.

    c. 500 B.C. Confucius

Qin Dynasty, 221-207 B.C.

221 B.C. The First Emperor

Chinese scripts standardized

Western Han Dynasty, 206 B.C.-A.D. 24

c. A.D. 145-86 Sima Qian, author of first comprehensive Chinese history

Eastern Han Dynasty, A.D. 25-220

c. A.D. 100 Introduction of Buddhism in China

Three Kingdoms Period, A.D. 220-265

Western Jin Dynasty, A.D. 265-316

Eastern Jin Dynasty, A.D. 317-420

Northern Wei Dynasty, A.D. 386-534

Southern and Northern Dynasties, A.D. 420-589

Sui Dynasty, A.D. 581-618

Tang Dynasty, A.D. 618-907

c. A.D. 600 porcelain flourishes

c. A.D. 750 early woodblock printing

Five Dynasties, A.D. 907-960

Liao Dynasty, A.D. 916-1125

Song Dynasty, A.D. 960-1279

Late Prehistoric China | Bronze Age China | Chu and Other Cultures | Early Imperial China

Teaching Activities | Resources | Chronology | Pronunciation Guide/Glossary