Ancient china: Did you mean...?

Silk is a fabric first produced in Neolithic China from the filaments of the cocoon of the silk worm. It became a staple source of income for small farmers and, as weaving techniques improved, the reputation of Chinese silk spread so that...

The Jurchen Jin dynasty (meaning “Golden”) ruled parts of China, Mongolia, and northern Korea from 1115 to 1234 CE. The Jurchen originated from Manchuria, but in conquering the neighbouring Liao empire of the Khitan and parts of Song China...

The Warring States period (c. 475–221 BCE) represents the final and most transformative phase of the Eastern Zhou dynasty (770–256 BCE), marked by political fragmentation, sustained interstate warfare, and profound institutional change. As...

The Mongol Empire (1206-1368) was founded by Genghis Khan (r. 1206-1227), first Great Khan or 'universal ruler' of the Mongol peoples. Genghis forged the empire by uniting nomadic tribes of the Asian steppe and creating a devastatingly effective...

The Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) marked the restoration of native Han Chinese rule after the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). Founded by the Hongwu Emperor (Zhu Yuanzhang, reign 1368-1398), the Ming state reasserted centralized...

A section of the Great Wall of China just north of Beijing. The wall was begun in the 7th century BCE and significantly extended by the Ch'in emperor Qin Shi Huangdi from 220 to 210 BCE.

The Great Wall of China, built 221 BCE-1664 CE.

The Great Wall of China was begun during the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE) but little of that original wall is left. The wall that people recognize today is largely from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1662 CE) which built the distinctive watchtowers...

Stairs at the Great Wall of China (built 221BCE - 1664CE).

Taizong (birth name, Li-Shimin, l. 598-649 CE, r. 626-649 CE) was the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty and is considered one of the greatest rulers in Chinese history for his reforms of the government and the laws, his religious tolerance...