Some of the earliest civilizations in the world developed in China. While these civilizations (cultures with writing, cities, complex governments, and advanced technologies) developed from a number of diverse roots, archaeologists today generally consider the Sandai—the three historic dynasties of Xia, Shang, and Zhou—to be the earliest cultures with the characteristics of civilization.
Modern China takes its name from the Qin dynasty (221-207 BCE) which established the first centralized monarchy in China. During this time, the Great Wall was constructed and the government standardized weights, measures, coinage, script, and chariot axle widths.
The Qin was a police state in which all privately owned weapons were confiscated. Books dealing with political history, except for the approved official history of the Qin, were burned. Confucian followers who opposed the regime were persecuted and murdered. The downfall of the Qin was caused in part by the huge public works, including construction of the emperor’s palace and tomb, which drained the treasury.
Following the fall of the Qin dynasty, the Han dynasty learned from the Qin mistakes and Confucianism became one of the guiding principles of the new dynasty. Most of the items on display in the Early Chinese Art gallery of the Portland (Oregon) Art Museum are from the Han dynasty.
The horse and carriage shown above date to the Han Dynasty in the 1st or 2nd centuries CE. The carriage is unusual in that it has a permanent canopy and walls which indicates that it would have been used by high ranking nobles or as a hearse.
The harnessed mastiff shown above dates to the Han Dynasty in the 1st or 2nd centuries CE. While actual dogs were buried in Shang Dynasty royal burials (16th to 11th centuries BCE), by the Han Dynasty clay replicas were being placed at the entrances to underground tombs. The dogs served to guard the deceased and the tomb furnishings.
The female banquet chef shown above dates to the Han Dynasty in the 1st or 2nd centuries CE.
The female dancers shown above date to Han Dynasty.
The figures shown above were first uncovered in the village of Yangiiawan in 1965. Archaeologists found nearly 3,000 figures of military and civilian officials as well as musicians, dancers, and attendants. Many of the figures retain their original paint.
The plate shown above has a stylized cloud design and is from the Chu culture in the Warring States period (4th to 3rd centuries BCE).
Shown above are two female shamans performing a sacred ritual from the Chu culture in the Warring States period (4th to 3rd centuries BCE). They are made from wood with cinnabar and black lacquer.
The horse shown above is from the Warring States period in the 3rd century BCE.
The two-headed tomb guardian shown above (Zhenmuchou) is from the Chu culture in the Warring States period dating to the 4th to 3rd centuries BCE. Antlered guardian figures like this are unique to the Chu culture. Double-headed guardians are found in the tombs of the high-ranking aristocracy while single-headed guardians are found in lower ranking tombs. These figures may be associated with shamanistic rituals.
The largest storage jar shown above is from the Western Han Dynasty, 2nd-1st centuries BCE. It is gray earthenware with calcified green lead glaze.
The three-part vessel with loop handle shown above is from the Western Han Dynasty, 2nd-1st centuries BCE.
The wine storage vessel (Hu) shown above is from the Western Han Dynasty, 2nd-1st centuries BCE.
The deep bowl shown above is from north central China and dates to the Western Han Dynasty, 2nd-1st centuries BCE.
Shown above is a belt hook in the shape of a coiled dragon from the 4th-3rd century BCE. It is made of nephrite and gilt bronze.
Shown above is a wine storage vessel from the late Western Han Dynasty in the 1st century BCE.
The goose-shaped vessel shown above is from the Han Dynasty.
Shown above is a bronze covered cooking vessel which dates to the 3rd to 2nd century BCE. This type of vessel was used for holding cooked grains.
Shown above is a male attendant figure from the Han Dynasty. The cap and costume identify him as a member of the upper class, but the slight bend of his torso suggest that his role in this tomb was an attendant figure.
Shown above is a money tree from the 2nd century CE.