Jade pendant, 3rd century BC

New York, The Met, Gift of Ernest Erickson Foundation, 1985: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/39637

China is old. Very old. The first Chinese historians knew this, and compiled lists of kings and dynasties stretching back to the start of the second millennium BC.

As late as the 1890s, many scholars, both western and Chinese, doubted whether these detailed accounts were true, and whether any of this history - even if true - could ever be verified. This situation changed dramatically during the twentieth century. First with the discovery of the ancient Xi’ang cities and tombs, and then with the breath-taking unearthing of the Terracotta Army of Quin Shi Huang. These sites and many more, located along China’s first cradle of civilisation - the Yellow River - had lain undetected for millennia, hidden by the alluvial deposits of a river notorious for its inundations. Now the picture of ancient China is very different. Join us we explore this early past and follow the Mandate of Heaven as it passes from dynasty to dynasty.

RJW F222319 Online course (via Zoom)

A 5-hour short course, delivered via 2 x 2½-hour sessions on consecutive Wednesdays (Wednesday 18 & Wednesday 25 January, 2.00-4.30).

£40 (individual registration); £72 (for two people sharing one screen).