Ancient Civilizations

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Yellow River Civilization

G:Ancient China was formed around the Yellow River.

The color yellow symbolized “centrality”, as in China is the center of the world.

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Chinese accomplishments

During the Zhou and Shang periods, the Chinese made remarkable achievements in astronomy and bronzework, learned to make silk and create books, and developed a complex system of writing

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E:Chinese invented silk

Silk was exotic and expensive, so it was good for trading with the rest of the world.

It is made from silk worms.

Silk also makes “paper”

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Silk worm

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S:Chinese astronomy

2137 BC - Chinese book 书经 records the earliest known solar eclipse on October 22.

ca. 2000 BC - Chinese determine that Jupiter needs 12 years to complete one revolution of its orbit.

ca. 1400 BC - Chinese record the regularity of solar and lunar eclipses and the earliest known solar variation日珥.

ca. 1200 BC - Chinese divide the sky into twenty eight regions 二十八宿 for recognitions of the stars.

ca. 1100 BC - Chinese first determine the spring equinox 黄赤交角.

776 BC - Chinese make the earliest reliably record of solar eclipse.

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According to Chinese political theory, every dynasty goes through the so-called dynastic cycle:

A new ruler unites China and founds a new dynasty.

China, under the new dynasty, achieves prosperity and a new golden age.

The royal family of the dynasty begins to decay, corruption becomes rampant in the imperial court, and the empire begins to enter decline and instability.

The dynasty loses the Mandate of Heaven, their legitimacy to rule, and is overthrown by a rebellion. The Mandate of Heaven is then passed to the next dynasty

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Ancient China

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Chinese pyramids!!!!

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The Great Wall of China was built to keep the Mongols out.