The Classical Civilization of China: Confucianism and Taoism, continued

Ancient Chinese Dynasties

A great deal of Chinese history is told from the perspective of its ruling dynastic families. As one ruling dynasty declined, another dynasty emerged, usually from the family of a successful general, invader, or peasant rebel, and the pattern would start all over again. These historical/political events provide strong reasons why many Chinese think of history in terms of cycles, unlike the Western view of studying progress from past to present.

The Chinese Historical Era, 2637 BCE - 16^th Century BCE

	Oracle Bone:  Establishment of the Xia Dynasty and its Culture
	Bronze Ding: Ethnic Minorities in Peripheral Areas of Xia Dynasty to the Spring and Autumn Period