Dienstag, März 31, 2009
China
Chinese tradition names the first dynasty Xia, but it was considered mythical until scientific excavations found early bronze-age sites at Erlitou in Henan Province.[11]
Archaeologists have since uncovered urban sites, bronze implements, and
tombs in locations cited as Xia's in ancient historical texts, but it
is impossible to verify that these remains are of the Xia without
written records from the period.
The second dynasty, the loosely feudal Shang, settled along the Yellow River in eastern China from the 18th to the 12th century BCE. They were invaded from the west by the Zhou,
who ruled from the 12th to the 5th century BCE until their centralized
authority was slowly eroded by neighboring warlords. Many strong,
independent states continually waged war with each other in the Spring and Autumn period, only occasionally deferring to the Zhou king.
The first unified Chinese state was established by the Qin Dynasty in 221 BCE, when the office of the Emperor was set up and the Chinese language was forcibly standardized. This state did not last long, as its legalist policies soon led to widespread rebellion.
