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Tomb Entrance from Han Dynasty China
Until about the 2nd century BCE, Chinese tombs featured chambers made of heavy wooden logs. Thereafter, tombs were made of stone and brick. This stone-made example from the Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE) makes clear that the tombs of the wealthy were also seen as subterranean residences. Adorned with beautifully decorated walls, they were furnished with everything that the occupant might need in the hereafter. Although criticized by social reformers, lavish burial customs persisted. Tombs in ancient China were meant to last and to be visited by relatives over time with offerings. Stone tablets bearing the occupant's name, dates, and a short biography were also deposited in the tomb. These would survive beyond the family lineage. (Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto)
Questions & Answers
Where does the name China come from?
- China is named after the Qin Dynasty (pronounced "chin").
What is Banpo Village?
- Banpo Village is a Neolithic site in China. It was inhabited c. 4500-c. 3750 BCE.
What was the first dynasty of China?
- The Xia Dynasty (c. 2070-1600 BCE) was the first dynasty in China.
Can the Great Wall of China really be seen from space?
- No. The claim that the Great Wall of China can be seen from space is a myth.
