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300 - 395 AD

The secondJapanese dynasty known as Yamato was similar to the others in that there was a complex system of rulers overlooking the kingdom.

On the other hand, the rulers of the Yamato Dynasty put less emphasis on religious progress and focused more on secular work, including delegating labor to creating irrigation channels and suprressing regional dissent.

The downfall of the Yamato Dynasty was quick to happen though, as rulers over each province began to dissent and rivalries between the most powerful clans eventually ended with many of the rulers dying in battle or being assasinated.

Cultural Evolution:
The Yamato Dynasty serves as a reminder that even civilized groups of people can still destroy themselves. Koreans helped bring literacy into Japan, and the Yamato kingdom made great progress in infrastructure, but internal conflict among rulers ultimately brought the end of the Yamato kingdom's power.

Source:
"Complex Societies of East and Southeast Asia" In The Human Past, edited by Chris Scarre, 577-579. 3rd ed. London: Thames & Hudson.

Dolan, Ronald E. "Early Japan." Early Japan. Accessed August 26, 2016. http://www.shsu.edu/~his_ncp/Japan.html.

Image Source:
http://wonderfulworldofworldhistoryemrc.wikispaces.com/The+Asian+World

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Confucius came to be known as one of the most influential philosophers in China, and his teachings eventually became popular enough to become a way of life to some people.

Confucianism ideals focused on a non-violent, civil concept called ru, and by following this one would be able to become junzi, which is one who is deserving of moral power.

His teaching were recorded as analects, or a selection of conversations written down by his students. To this very day Confucianism remains a relevent with its teachings and values.

Cultural Evolution:
Confucianism gives great insight into how much critical thinking has become in humans. Thousands of years ago, spiritual or religious actions were made in hopes of bringing bountiful harvest or prevent sickness. In Confucianism,  the teachings have transcended the prayers for survival and have moved up to help humans reach their true, noble self.

Source:
Richey, Jeff. "Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy." Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Accessed August 26, 2016. http://www.iep.utm.edu/confuciu/.

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The Central Asian Silk Road was known as an important trade route that connected China to India and Rome.

It was through this trade route that the spread of bronzeworking and horse-drawn chariots was able to reach China. In addition to these technologies, the Central Asian Silk Road also contributed much to the trade economies in China.

Cultural Evolution:
The Silk Road helped China develop bronzeworking for weapons and ornaments, and allowed for the use of horse-drawn chariots.

Source:
"Complex Societies of East and Southeast Asia" In The Human Past, edited by Chris Scarre, 581-582. 3rd ed. London: Thames & Hudson.

Image Source:
http://www.jrank.org/history/pages/8357/How-Has-History-Affected-People-Central-Asia.html

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600 AD

In the aftermath of the conflict within the Yamato kingdom,  Yamato sent tribute missions to the Sui Dynasty in China. Here, the missionaries learned of the values of Confucianism, and the tax system that brought the Sui Dynasty much wealth.

The missionaries returned to Yamato, and shared these ideas in what became to be known as the Asuka Enlightenment.

During this enlightenment, large efforts were made to mirror the grand city schemes of the Sui Dynasty, and Buddhism and Confucianism were enthusiastically adopted.

Cultural Evolution:
The Asuka Enlightenment serves as a great example of a broken kingdom rising out of the ashes and embracing new ideas.

Source:
"Complex Societies of East and Southeast Asia" In The Human Past, edited by Chris Scarre, 579-580. 3rd ed. London: Thames & Hudson.

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206 BC - 220 AD

The Han Dynasty was crucial in the development of Chinese civilization, and its foundations are still present in modern day China.

The most notable aspect of the Han Dynasty was the complexity of their adminstration. Much like the Qin Dynasty, the Han Dynasty consisted of several provinces in which commanders were appointed rule.

A system of adminstration run by people who were taught at central training instituions was implemented, with officials running different ministries for economy, military, etc.

Cultural Evolution:
This complex administrative system shows how far in terms of human intelligence we have reached, to the point where effective communication is common all over East Asia.

Source:
"Complex Societies of East and Southeast Asia" In The Human Past, edited by Chris Scarre, 569-570. 3rd ed. London: Thames & Hudson.

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221 - 207 BC

The rise of the Qin Dynasty is marked by innovative social and cultural reforms.

Similar to the Zhou Dynasty method of ruling, the Qin Dynasty ruler Qin Shi Huangdi split his empire into 36 provinces, appointing each with a commander and inspector. This way, the he would not have to manage all the provinces alone and would have an inspector notify him if his instructions were not being carried out in full.

The Qin Dynasty also employed a uniform weight and currency system.

Cultural Evolution:
The Qin Dynasty exemplifies the advanced method of oversight that Qin Shi Huandi developed during his time of ruling. It is important to note that this complex level of oversight was not observed in civilization in several other regions such as the Maya or the Harappa.

Source:
"Complex Societies of East and Southeast Asia" In The Human Past, edited by Chris Scarre, 568-569. 3rd ed. London: Thames & Hudson.

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The origins of Chinese writing date back to as far as 6500 BC, where excavations at Neiolithic site have yielded artifacts inscribed with symbols. By the time of the Shang Dynasty, these symbols had developed into a complete language system.

The Shang Dynasty used oracle bone readings much like the fortune cookies of today to determine whether a certain actions such as planning an attack in a military campaign were advisable or not.

Other artifacts of writing such as text inscribed into bronze castings and bamboo slips have been found in the Zhou Dynasty.

Cultural Evolution:
Chinese writing in and of itself serves as an example of cultural growth that many other countries struggled with. By this time periods, groups all over East Asia had incorporated this kind of communication into their lives, while civilizations such as the Maya still used very rudimentary communication methods.

Source:
"Complex Societies of East and Southeast Asia" In The Human Past, edited by Chris Scarre, 558-559. 3rd ed. London: Thames & Hudson.

Image Source:
http://cameronfreeman.com/socio-cultural/anthropology-religion-asian-traditions/theocratic-stage-emerging-chinese-religious-thought-practice/

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1045 - 771 BC

One of the longest lasting Dynasties of East Asia, the Zhou Dynasty came into power after the victory over the Shang Dynasty in the Battle of Muye.

The Zhou Dynasty is characterized by a unique expansive policy. Members of the royal clan would be appointed a settlement to rule over, along with personal items, soldiers, and families to help him grow the settlement. This policy initially worked quite well, but began to backfire as these settlements grew larger and more powerful.

Culture Evolution:
With the emergence of the Zhou Dynasty we see new military technology and expansive policies. The Zhou Dynasty soldiers used new forms of armor, halberds, and cast bronze swords. These kinds of weapons and armor gave them the upper hand in battle and thus allowed for their expansive policy to work rapidly.

Source:
"Complex Societies of East and Southeast Asia" In The Human Past, edited by Chris Scarre, 563. 3rd ed. London: Thames & Hudson.

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1500 - 1045 BC

In addition to have specialized workshops much like the Xia Dynasty, the introduction of the Shang Dynasty also brought the introduction of Oracle Bones.

Oracle Bones were made by applying heat to bones, resulting in cracks on the bone. These cracks would then be interpreted and used by the ruling class to make decisions regarding matters such as war, hunting, rainfall, etc.

Cultural Evolution:
The appearance of Oracle bones signifies the people of the Shang Dynasty and their association to the otherwordly and possibly deities. Since many decisions could have been made in accordance with Bone oracle analysis, the people of the Shang Dynasty likely had strong beliefs in pleasing a higher being.

Source:
"Complex Societies of East and Southeast Asia" In The Human Past, edited by Chris Scarre, 558-560. 3rd ed. London: Thames & Hudson.

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1700-1500 BC

The Xia Dynasty is regarded as the first Dynasty of China. One site of the Xia Dynasty, known as Wangjinlou, contains lots of evidence showing that it was one of the elite centers of East Asia during the time.

Excavations at the site have uncovered specialized workshops that produced ceramics, jades, bronze castings, and other fancy ornaments.

Cultural Evolution:
The presence of bronze ornaments and jade suggests that hierarchies were well established in this dynasty, and the the elite class likely had control over many of these workshops that produced these goods.

Source:
"Complex Societies of East and Southeast Asia" In The Human Past, edited by Chris Scarre, 557. 3rd ed. London: Thames & Hudson.

Image Source:
https://depts.washington.edu/chinaciv/archae/tfuhbron.htm