With over 4000 years of history, China is considered one of the oldest civilizations in the world. To better organize its entire trajectory, it is customary to divide the History of China through its main events of a political nature. Didactically, Chinese history begins with an Original Phase, which goes from 2200 B.C. to 221 B.C. period, we highlight three civilizations that begin the process of territorial occupation and ethnic formation of the Chinese people.
The first of these is known as Xia (2200 BC - 1750 BC). For a long time, the existence of this civilization was doubted by many experts on the subject. However, recent archaeological research has proven otherwise. Such researches propose that the Xia are direct descendants of the peoples who, during the Neolithic period, occupied the Yellow River Valley. Even not counting on writings from this civilization, there is speculation in the scientific community that the Xia were the forerunners of the writing system created in the Shang dynasty.
Originally from the same region of the Xia, the Shang dynasty (1750 BC – 1040 BC) was known mainly for its developed writing system, mostly engraved on animal skins. In addition, this dynasty also developed several bronze utensils. In the context of religious rituals, the Shang used to organize ceremonies where the performance of human sacrifices was recurrent. Its political organization was monarchical and had a peculiar succession system. Usually, the throne was inherited from the older brother to the younger brother. When all the brothers died, the throne was passed on to the eldest of the maternal nephews.
Regarded as the main founder of Chinese civilization, the Zhou dynasty (1100 BC – 771 BC) hegemonically controlled the region of the so-called Middle Kingdom. After this hegemonic period, the Zhou civilization suffered an invasion promoted by the barbarians of the Western region. Due to the invasion process, the Zhou dynasty moved to the eastern part of Chinese territory. After the displacement, different systems of philosophical thought flourished among the Zhou: Daoism, Confucianism and legalism.
At the end of this period, an intense period of battles began, known as Warring States (403 BC - 221 BC). During this period, which closes the origins of Chinese civilization, a series of conflicts with numerous armies, military sieges and battles that lasted for several days took place.
By Rainer Sousa
Graduated in History
Brazil School Team
China - History - Brazil School
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/china/as-origens-china.htm
