Ancient China Timeline By themash 1046 BCE The Mandate of Heaven (1046 BC) Period: 1046 BCE to 256 BCE Zhou Dynasty (1046 - 256 BCE) Period: 551 BCE to 479 BCE Life of Confucius (551 - 479 BCE) 221 BCE The First Emperor (221 BC) Period: 221 BCE to 207 BCE Qin Dynasty (221 - 207 BCE) Period: 206 BCE to 220 Han Dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE) Period: 960 to 1279 Song Dynasty (960 - 1279 CE) Period: 1644 to 1912 Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1912)