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1500 BCE
The First Written Records
The Shang Dynasty, in power from about 1600 B.C, to 1050 B.C, are the hosts of the first found written records. They were discovered in the Chinese city of Anyang on the bones of animals called oracle bones. -
1400 BCE
Pictographs
In 1936, archaeologist discovered thousands of turtle shells with with pictographs on them, or simplified drawings of objects. Dating back to about 1400 B.C., these pictographs are the origin of the modern system of writing in China. -
Period: 551 BCE to 479 BCE
Analects
Confucius taught ethical values which his students later recorded in the the compilation Analects, literally "Edited Conversations." -
500 BCE
"Book of Odes"
Rebellions and invasions during the Chou dynasty led to ancient poets composing war poems in "The Book of Odes." -
500 BCE
Tao Te Ching
These were the teachings of Lao-tzu, the legendary founder of Taoism. He began developing these teachings in the 500s B.C. -
100 BCE
Development of Paper
Paper was invented around 100 B.C. It was initially made from mulberry bark, silk rags, hemp, bamboo, and fishing nets. The creation of paper led to the first books, woodblock printing, movable type, and calligraphy. The first paper-making industry was started in 105 A.D. by a government official named Ts'ai Lun. -
85 BCE
"Records of the Historian"
This was a history of China through Wu Ti's reign written by Ssu-ma Ch'ien. -
100
The First Chinese Dictionary
It was compiled by a famous Chinese scholar, Shyu-Shen during the Eastern Han dynasty. -
868
"Diamond Sutra"
The first book with a written date, Diamond Sutra was published in 868 A.D. -
Period: 900 to 1200
Tz'u
Tz'u, song lyrics, were sung by women entertainers and became a major poetic form. Li Ch'ing-chao was a master of the genre.
