Ancient Civilisations
Ancient China
Resource Key
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LEVEL 1
Brief, basic information laid out in an easy-to-read format. May use informal language. (Includes most news articles)
LEVEL 2
Provides additional background information and further reading. Introduces some subject-specific language
LEVEL 3
Lengthy, detailed information. Frequently uses technical/subject-specific language. (Includes most analytical articles)
Key Achievements of Ancient China
Click the link in the reference below to see the enlarged image
Encyclopædia Britannica. (n.d.). ancient China: key achievements . [image]. Britannica School. Retrieved September 1, 2025, from https://school.eb.com.au/levels/middle/assembly/view/234899
What is an Artefact?
Reference Generator
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Map
Encyclopædia Britannica. (n.d.). ancient China . [image]. Britannica School. Retrieved September 1, 2025, from https://school.eb.com.au/levels/middle/assembly/view/54538
Videos
Ancient Ceramics
The following articles are from the Informit database and are of a high reading level. However, they contain valuable information that you can use for your assessment
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Dragon and phoenixTalks about the dragon and phoenix designs that appear on a lot of ancient Chinese art.
Web Links
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Artifacts Handed-down from Ancient Times | National Museum of ChinaThe NMC houses more than 1.4 million items of collection, covering ancient and modern artifacts, rare and antiquarian books, and works of art.
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ANCIENT CHINA QIN AND HANThe Qin Dynasty and the Han Dynasty ruled China for over 400 years between 221 BC and 220 AD with a short interregnum (or another dynasty's rule) in between them.
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Making the Warrior: The Qin Terracotta Soldiers in Age of EmpiresThe pits of terracotta warrior figures were discovered by accident in 1974, when local farmers were sinking a well.
Nexus-S Resources
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Government in the Ancient World by
Publication Date: 2011
The British Museum
The British Museum in London has over 23,000 Chinese artefacts, showing the rich history and culture of China over thousands of years.
These objects include items made from jade, bronze, porcelain, silk, and lacquer, each with special meanings and uses.
Some famous artefacts include:
- Jade Coiled Dragon – from the Longshan Culture, symbolising power and protection.
- Gold Dagger Handle – from the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, showing fine craftsmanship.
- Jade Cicadas – placed on the tongue of the dead in the Han Dynasty to represent rebirth.
- Porcelain vases – beautifully decorated and used in homes and temples.
- Lacquer boxes – used to store jewellery and important items.
- Paintings and textiles – from the Silk Road, including Buddhist art from the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang.
- Embroidered shoes – made of silk and wool, showing everyday life in ancient China.
These artefacts help us understand Chinese beliefs, daily life, and artistic skills.