The Cambridge History of Ancient China: From the Origins of Civilization to 221 BC - Hardcover

Loewe, Michael; Shaughnessy, Edward L.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0521470307 ISBN 13: 9780521470308

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1999

Synopsis

The Cambridge History of Ancient China provides a survey of the cultural, intellectual, political, and institutional developments of the pre-imperial period. The four subperiods of Shang, Western Zhou, Spring and Autumn and Warring States, are described on the basis of literary and material sources and the evidence of recently found manuscripts. Chapters on the prehistoric background, the growth of language, and relations with the peoples of Central Asia provide the major context of China\'s achievements in the 1,500 years under review. The teachings of China\'s early masters are set alongside what is known of the methods of astonomers, physicians and diviners. A final chapter leads the reader forward to imperial times, as described in the volumes of The Cambridge History of China.

About this title

Review:

'The Cambridge History of Ancient China bridges the gap between the earliest material evidence that has come to light through archaeological discoveries and Chinese textual sources ... the present volume dedicates two chapters to each of the periods covered; one on the institutional history and the other on material culture. The results affords a far more comprehensive view of ancient China than a 'primary sources' approach could have yielded ... Whether consulted as a reference or read continuously; the wealth of material in the present volume will be relevant not only to scholars and students, but to the general reading public interested in that cultural melting-pot which is China.' History Today

'Read as a whole, this volume's advocacy of archaeological insights, combined with more traditional historical approaches, offers a truly stimulating invigoration of how we imagine the ancient world in China ... A particularly fascinating chapter by Nicola Di Cosmo surveys the textual and archaeological knowledge of China's northern zone ... The archaeological chapters surpass all previous accounts for their narrative cohesion and detailed references.' The Times Higher Education Supplement

Book Description:

The Cambridge History of Ancient China provides a survey of the cultural history of pre-imperial China. Fourteen leading specialists, both historians and archeologists, cover the Shang, Western Zhou, Spring and Autumn, and Warring States periods, the Neolithic background, language, intellectual history, relations with Central Asia, and the debts of both the Qin and Han empires to these earlier time-periods.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0521470307
• ISBN 13: 9780521470308
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 1182