Legends, History, ArcLegends, History, Archaeology, and Paleoahaeology, and Paleoa

stronomy, stronomy,

MythsMyths

World uncreated – no creator godWorld uncreated – no creator god Nü GuaNü Gua PanguPangu Yellow EmperorYellow Emperor Yao, Shun, YüYao, Shun, Yü Heavenly archer YiHeavenly archer Yi Queen Mother of the West-Queen Mother of the West-

Nü GuaNü Gua Primeval Goddess of unknown Primeval Goddess of unknown

originorigin Myth: made many transformationsMyth: made many transformations Created humans from yellow Created humans from yellow

earth, clay, mudearth, clay, mud Several hierarchical categoriesSeveral hierarchical categories Noble – yellow earthNoble – yellow earth People – clayPeople – clay Slaves - mudSlaves - mud

Pan GuPan Gu First born humanFirst born human Myth much later than Nü guaMyth much later than Nü gua Separation of heavens from earthSeparation of heavens from earth Pangu – giant born from an eggPangu – giant born from an egg Went through nine transformationWent through nine transformation

ss His body, arms and legs, became thHis body, arms and legs, became th

e dry earthe dry earth

Yellow EmperorYellow Emperor

Warrior godWarrior god Fought against evil emperors and Fought against evil emperors and

monstersmonsters Became major deity in DaoismBecame major deity in Daoism Yellow – most auspicious color Yellow – most auspicious color

associated with Earth, associated with Earth, agricultureagriculture

Very powerful, benign, auspiciousVery powerful, benign, auspicious

Three Sage EmperorsThree Sage Emperors

Yao, Shun, and YüYao, Shun, and Yü Yao passed over own sons to appoint Yao passed over own sons to appoint

ShunShun Shun chosen for virtueShun chosen for virtue Shun passed over own sons to appoinShun passed over own sons to appoin

t Yüt Yü as successoras successor Yü the great controlled the watersYü the great controlled the waters

YaoYao

First sage emperor in mythic First sage emperor in mythic Golden AgeGolden Age

Exemplar of virtueExemplar of virtue Protected the peopleProtected the people Sent archer Yi to shoot down 9 Sent archer Yi to shoot down 9

sunssuns Rejected own sonsRejected own sons Selected Shun as his successorSelected Shun as his successor

Ten suns and magical Ten suns and magical archer Yiarcher Yi

Ten suns arose each dayTen suns arose each day Scorched the earthScorched the earth So heavenly archer Yi sent to shoot down So heavenly archer Yi sent to shoot down

nine sunsnine suns Associated with totem of Black Bird w/ 3 Associated with totem of Black Bird w/ 3

legslegs Single sun came up ten times in a rowSingle sun came up ten times in a row Chinese week – ten daysChinese week – ten days

ShunShun

Shun came of lowly birthShun came of lowly birth Yao gave him his two daughters Yao gave him his two daughters

as wivesas wives Invented agricultureInvented agriculture exemplar of virtueexemplar of virtue Passed over own sons in favor of Passed over own sons in favor of

YüYü

Yü Yü the greatthe great Flood mythFlood myth YüYü received divine favorreceived divine favor Created damsCreated dams Channeled the watersChanneled the waters Water for irrigationWater for irrigation Vanquished the storm godVanquished the storm god Cast nine cauldronsCast nine cauldrons

ArchaeologyArchaeology

Modern scienceModern science Began in China in 1930s with Began in China in 1930s with

European advisorsEuropean advisors Europeans stole as much as they Europeans stole as much as they

helped out helped out Uncovered early Paleolithic sitesUncovered early Paleolithic sites Found the Shang city of Anyang and Found the Shang city of Anyang and

graves of last 12 kings of Shanggraves of last 12 kings of Shang Confirms historical recordConfirms historical record

Archaeological Archaeological discoveriesdiscoveries

Paleolithic hunter gathers sitesPaleolithic hunter gathers sites Early settlements – agricultureEarly settlements – agriculture Xia dynasty sitesXia dynasty sites Shang graves – names and sequencShang graves – names and sequenc

e of kings matched the ancient liste of kings matched the ancient listss

New discoveries: warrior empress New discoveries: warrior empress Fu HaoFu Hao

Examples of other archaeologicaExamples of other archaeological discoveriesl discoveries

Early hunter-gather villagesEarly hunter-gather villages Xia dynasty townsXia dynasty towns Shang dynasty capital cityShang dynasty capital city Shang kings and Lady Fu HaoShang kings and Lady Fu Hao

Terra cotta soldiers Terra cotta soldiers City of Chang’anCity of Chang’an Capital at KaifengCapital at Kaifeng Ming dynasty discoveriesMing dynasty discoveries Right up until present timesRight up until present times

Neolithic PeriodNeolithic Period

Most of what we know of the NeoMost of what we know of the Neolithic period is due to archaeologlithic period is due to archaeological excavations:ical excavations:

Yangshao Culture at BanpoYangshao Culture at Banpo Early ceramic technologyEarly ceramic technology

Banpo siteBanpo site

Yangshao CultureYangshao Culture

Longshan cultLongshan cultureure

Small townsSmall towns Reducing kilnsReducing kilns Use of pottery Use of pottery

wheelwheel

Shang DynastyShang Dynasty

Qin Dynasty – Qin Dynasty – Terra Cotta Terra Cotta SoldiersSoldiers

Tang Dynasty TombTang Dynasty Tomb

Dancing Dancing horses of horses of Emperor Emperor Ming Huang Ming Huang (c. 756)(c. 756)

Paleo-astronomyPaleo-astronomy Newest technological developmentNewest technological development Computer generated maps of past night Computer generated maps of past night

skiesskies Three crucial dates from early historiesThree crucial dates from early histories Foundation of Xia (c. 1950 B.C.E.)Foundation of Xia (c. 1950 B.C.E.) Foundation of Shang (c. 1500 B.C. E.)Foundation of Shang (c. 1500 B.C. E.) Foundation of Zhou (c. 1020/1045 B.C.E.)Foundation of Zhou (c. 1020/1045 B.C.E.)

Alignment of Planets 1953 Alignment of Planets 1953 BCE XiaBCE Xia

Alignment of planets 1576 Alignment of planets 1576 B.C. ShangB.C. Shang

Alignment of planets 1059 Alignment of planets 1059 BCE Zhou mandateBCE Zhou mandate

Mandate from HeavenMandate from Heaven

Walking stars as omen to establish Xia Walking stars as omen to establish Xia c. 1953 B.C.E.c. 1953 B.C.E.

Gathering of planets as a sign to overthGathering of planets as a sign to overthrow Xia, establish Shang c. 1500 B.C.E.row Xia, establish Shang c. 1500 B.C.E.

Gathering of planets as a sign to overthGathering of planets as a sign to overthrow Shang, establish Zhou c. 1044 B.C.row Shang, establish Zhou c. 1044 B.C.E.E.

Most important political principle in CMost important political principle in Chinese Historyhinese History

““Mandate of Heaven” GovernmentMandate of Heaven” Government