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·  Human culture: Convenient spurs commanding wetlands were chosen for settlement, and rectangular, multi-roomed houses were constructed of clay, strengthened with bamboo, reeds, and rice husk bonding. The swampy terrain would presumably have been suited to the establishment of rice fields, and early (4th millennium BC) evidence for agricultural intensification through plowing has been identified.

· Social inequality: The photo below is a cite of Chengtoushan.
Some of the dead were interred with unusual wealth – one individual was accompanied by 50 ceramic vessels, two jade pendants, and four people. Compared with the majority of graves, this suggests social strati- fication within the community, as does the presence of specialist potters, and evidence that the elite lived in fine houses with corridors and several living rooms.
Source:
Scarre, Chris (2013-02-06). The Human Past: World Prehistory and the Development of Human Societies (Third Edition) (Page 553). Thames & Hudson. Kindle Edition.
Picture:
http://www.kaogu.cn/uploads/cn/201509/20150921cheng.jpg

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The Longshan culture existed during the Neolithic period of China, from 3,000 – 2,000 BCE. It was centered in the eastern parts of China. The Longshan people start to make tools either as a weapon or agriculture tools. With the tools, people began to settle permanently in on place. Social stratification appeared, women and men were responsible for different jobs, like men were doing hunting, agriculture and women were cooking and cleaning. Difference between the wealthy and poor, this could be seen that wealth had lots of ceramic items.
Source:
"Searching in History." Prehistoric China: Longshan Culture. January 01, 1970. Accessed May 20, 2017. https://searchinginhistory.blogspot.com/2014/02/prehistoric-china-longshan.html.
Picture:
https://media1.britannica.com/eb-media/24/42524-004-7415436A.jpg

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It is the first dynasty in China history. During the Xia dynasty the major crafts included jade carving and casting bronze vessels, some of which were embellished with jade. The Xia also devised a calendar system that incorporated lunar and solar movements. Traditional Chinese histories contend that the Xia dynasty was founded by Yu, in Xia, the ruler set the precedent for dynastic rule, or the hereditary system, which began a period of family and clan political and economic control. The rulers often performed as shamans, communicating with spirits for guidance, and the ruling families employed elaborate and dramatic rituals to confirm their political power.
Source:
Kolb, Charles C. "Xia Dynasty." In Berkshire Encyclopedia of China: Modern and Historic Views of the World's Newest and Oldest Global Power, [2492]-2495. Vol. 5. Great Barrington, MA: Berkshire Publishing, 2009. Gale Virtual Reference Library (accessed May 20, 2017). http://go.galegroup.com.offcampus.lib.washington.edu/ps/i.do?p=GVRL&sw=w&u=wash_main&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CCX3008200741&asid=0b0d9f7839d70e119478fa394e7c62ec.

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The Shang made many contributions to Chinese civilization, but four in particular define the dynasty: the invention of writing; the development of a stratified government; the advancement of bronze technology; and the use of the chariot and bronze weapons in warfare

Social inequality: The Shang Dynasty was a monarchy governed by a series of kings, 29 or 30 in total, over the course of almost 600 years.The king was served by officials who held specialized positions of authority and function; and the officials belonged to a hereditary class of aristocrats, usually related to the king himself.
Source:
"The Shang Dynasty, 1600 to 1050 BCE." FSI | SPICE - The Shang Dynasty, 1600 to 1050 BCE. Accessed May 20, 2017. http://spice.fsi.stanford.edu/docs/the_shang_dynasty_1600_to_1050_bce.
Picture:
http://media.web.britannica.com/eb-media/76/105276-004-843EA369.jpg

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During the Western Zhou period, goods circulated mostly through tribute and gift rather than trade, cities  were noble fortresses, artisans were an hereditary caste of serfs attached to states or courts, and ministers and court members were chosen based on birth rather than talent. Battles between regional leaders were relatively short and, for the nobles, restrained by a code of chivalry.
Source:
"Zhou Dynasty." Ancient History Encyclopedia. Accessed May 20, 2017. http://www.ancient.eu/Zhou_Dynasty/.
Picture:
http://www.ancient.eu/uploads/images/3045.jpg?v=1485680869

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During this time, many of the states also focused on developing agricultural production as a means for strengthening legitimacy. As a result, iron farm tools and cattle ploughing were popularized, along with further developments made in the processes involved with bronze smelting, foundry industry.

In the latter part of the Spring and Autumn Periods, coins were also widely used. This stimulated the development of commerce, specifically that of the handicraft industry. The silk textiles of the Qi State and the lacquer wares of the Chu State particularly were famed for their high-degree of workmanship.
Source:
"Eastern Zhou." Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770 BC-221 BC) in China History. Accessed May 20, 2017. https://www.warriortours.com/intro/history/zhou/eastern.htm.
Picture:
http://www.chinasage.info/imgs/SpadeMoney.jpg

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It was in the Warring States Period that state leaders also began to establish a centralized autocratic system of governance. The introduction of these new institutions, systems and cultural developments saw the rise of cities such as the Qi State's Linzhi (what is today known as Zibo City in Shandong Province), the Yan State's Xiadu (Yixian County, Hebei Province), the Chu State's Ying (Jiangling County, Hubei Province) and the Zhao State's Handan (Handan City, Hebei Province).
Source:
"Eastern Zhou." Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770 BC-221 BC) in China History. Accessed May 20, 2017. https://www.warriortours.com/intro/history/zhou/eastern.htm.

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Early in the Qin Empire, the practice of Legalism reached its peak in Chinese history.This idea of state policy was devised by Shang Yang who came to Qin as a foreign advisor. he simply revived a practice which was already present for years: a form of government with a focus on greater efficiency and less adherence to tradition in which strict adherence to the letter of the law was made paramount (hence the name `Legalism').

The Great Wall of China, the Grand Canal, and the roads which increased ease.

In his later years, Shi Huangti became obsessed with death and the hope of eternal life. In constant fear of assassination, it is said, he never slept in the same room of his palace two nights consecutively and he ordered the construction of his elaborate tomb (including his terracotta warriors) early on in his reign
Source:
"Great Wall of China." Ancient History Encyclopedia. Accessed May 20, 2017. http://www.ancient.eu/Great_Wall_of_China/.
Picture:
http://www.fei123.com/upload/2017/04/26/6c7d801d5df1f302.jpg

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The Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE) was one of the longest of China’s major dynasties. In terms of power and prestige, the Han Dynasty in the East rivalled its almost contemporary Roman Empire in the West. The biggest Chinese historiographic work of antiquity was written during this period. Chinese calligraphy developed into an art. Confucianism was made the official state ideology during the time of Emperor Wu Di, who built an academy solely devoted to the works of Confucius. The philosopher had long been dead, but his disciples managed to preserve his teachings. Confucianism, favoured by the patronage of the state, gained a strength similar to Buddhism during the time of Emperor Ashokaor Christianity after Constantine. Thousands of Confucian academies were built, spreading Confucian ethics across China and most of East Asia and would dominate Chinese ethics during the centuries to come. Even today, the ethnic Chinese refer to themselves as Han rem (Han people).
Source:
"Han Dynasty." Ancient History Encyclopedia. Accessed May 20, 2017. http://www.ancient.eu/Han_Dynasty/.
Picture:
http://s2.sinaimg.cn/middle/72b9921fh765e8d429e01&690

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The ancient Silk Road began in the Chinese city of Changan (present-day Xi'an) and ran westward across deserts to oases and over mountain passes, through the great Central Asian trading cities of Samarqand and Bukhara in modern Uzbekistan and Merv (modern Mary) in Turkmenistan to Tyre on the Mediterranean Sea.

When merchants began to travel, amber, furs, and honey came to China from northern Russia and the Baltic; pottery, coral and textiles, gold and silver, ivory, and precious stones came from Rome and elsewhere in the Mediterranean region, along with metalware from the foundries of Sidon and Tyre. In turn, China sent perfumes, silks, porcelain, tea, spices, mirrors, lacquerware, and via Samarqand the priceless gift of paper. From Central Asia came jade, cloth, and the horses of Fergana.
Source and Picture:
Darian, Steven. "Silk Road." In Encyclopedia of Modern
Asia, edited by Karen
Christensen and David Levinson, 207-209. Vol. 5. New York: Charles Scribner's
Sons, 2002. Gale Virtual Reference
Library (accessed May 20,
2017).
http://go.galegroup.com.offcampus.lib.washington.edu/ps/i.do?p=GVRL&sw=w&u=wash_main&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CCX3403702687&asid=cb755d1de462c5257c2f2f834d459caa.