Agricultural Revloution: shift to agriculture during Neolithic period (c. 7000 - 1700 BCE) led to farming communities with permanent settlements along rivers.
Cultural and Technological Innovations: advances in astronomy and math; inventions of paper, bronze, and the suspension bridge. Also of note are the Terracotta Warriors and the Great Wall of China. Arts and literature flourished during the Han dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE) and the Tang dynasty (618 - 907 CE), also ideas and goods spread along the Silk Road.
Political Structure and Dynastic Rule: organized states starting with the Shang dynasty (c. 1600 - 1046 BCE) through the Zhou dynasty (c. 1046 - 256 BCE) developed fedual system and Mandate of Heaven to justify the rule of emperors.
Philosophical Developments: Confucianism and Daoism started in the Eastern Zhou period (c. 770 - 256 BCE) and played a role in Chinese culture, ethics, and governance.
Misconceptions
Chinese civilization developed in isolation.
The Great Wall of China is one long wall built at once.
