AROUND 5000 B.C. AD
Beginning of farming:
In present-day China during antiquity, men began to cultivate the banks of the Yellow River (also called also Huang-He ). They grow millet (a cereal), fruits, nuts and vegetables, and raise pigs, dogs and chickens.
First agricultural villages:
The first Chinese peasants built villages, used stone tools to work in the fields and made beautiful painted pots.
AROUND 4000 BC. AD
Beginning of rice cultivation:
On the edge of the Blue River (also called Yangzi ) further south, the climate is warmer and more humid, the Chinese can cultivate rice there.
AROUND 2700 B.C. AD
Manufacture of silk:
The silk thread is made from the evening worm (a species of caterpillar), which weaves a protective cocoon around itself before metamorphosing into a butterfly. The Chinese were the first to learn how to unwind the cocoons and weave the delicate silk fabric.
BETWEEN 1766 AND 1027 BC. AD
Shang Dynasty:
Much of China is ruled by a royal family, or dynasty, the Shang . When a king dies, he is buried in a huge well with precious objects (bronze pots, carved jade ornaments…), his chariot, horses and servants sacrificed to serve him in the afterlife.
Metal Mastery:
Chinese craftsmen Shang manufacture bronze weapons and vessels. Very elaborate bronze cauldrons are used to prepare the food and wine of their ancestors who they believe are gods.
AROUND 1400 BC. AD
Prediction of the future on divinatory bones:
Writing appears in China to predict the future. Chinese priests engrave questions on “divinatory bones” which they heat until they crack. Then they “read” the drawings of the slits to find an answer to their questions.
BETWEEN 1027 AND 221 BC. AD
Zhou dynasties:
The Shang Kings are defeated by the Zhou people . The New Kings Zhou allow noble families to have their land in exchange for their loyalty and help in times of war.
TOWARDS 722-481 BC. AD
The Zhou dynasty is weakening:
As the power of the nobles grew, the Zhou kings lose control. The nobles then create their own small kingdoms and constantly fight among themselves with the aim of expanding them.
IN 551 B.C. AD
Birth of the philosopher K'ong-Fou-Tseu (or Confucius):
Confucius teaches wisdom:Wars will only end when people behave correctly. People should obey their rulers and the rulers should be kind to them.