China and Europe 3000 BCE to 1500 CE

The Development of Silk Making

3000 BCE

Legend suggests that silk was discovered by Empress Leizu 3000 BCE, however we have evidence of silk production going back to 4000 BCE. Silk was seen as a luxury good and we have archeological evidence form various ancient civilisations. From 2nd Century BCE the Chinese started to trade westward along what becomes the Silk Road; however the production of China was kept in China until 4th century CE.

Stonehenge Built

2600 BCE

Stonehenge was constructed by pre-Bronze Age people in Britain. It is believed to have been on site of cultural/religious significance and was used as a solar calendar to mark significant dates. Evidence uncovered by archeologists shows there was activity at this site that go back to 8000 BCE. The Stonehenge we see today was the third version that was constructed.

The Invention and Development of Lacquer

1600 BCE

Lacquering is the application of sap from the Lac tree this technique enabled the strengthening and waterproofing of materials in particular wooden objects. Earliest examples come from 5000 BCE (see picture). The Shang dynasty saw this develop as an art form and by the Eastern Zhou period it became produced in large quantities.

Chinese Perfect Bronze Casting

1300 BCE

The Chinese Bronze Age spans the Shang and Zhou dynasties 1600-256 BCE. The Chinese developed a process of casting bronze using moulds. This means the work produced was high in quality of strength and decoration.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaYUEV-vGLM

Iron Age in Europe

Period: 1200 BCE to 550 BCE

This the period when starts in South Eastern Europe with the collapse of Bronze Age civilisations of Mycenaeans in Greece and Hittites in Turkey. This collapse ended trade in materials needed to make bronze so people started to use Iron instead. This age considered to end with rise of Classical Greece. However Iron age lasted in Western and Northern Europe much longer to about 1st century BC and coincided with the development of of the Celtic culture.

First Chinese Book Printed

1048 BCE

China's first recognisable books, called Jiance or Jiandu, were made of rolls of thin split and dried bamboo bound together with hemp, silk, or leather. The printing was done using the block printing method where people would carve a page of text on a wood and ink would be applied to it before being set on a piece of paper.

Birth of Confucius

551 BCE

Confucius was a philosopher and politician who's ideas and teachings formed the basis of East Asian culture and society and is still influential today.

Roman Republic Founded

510 BCE

The Roman Senate deposed the last Roman king. instead they created a system of elected officials. This lasted until 29 BCE when the Roman Empire was established. During this period the power of Rome expanded across the Mediterranean and Gaul.

Great Wall Completed

210 BCE

The Great Wall of China was completed in 210 BCE by Qin Shi Huang (the first Chinese Emperor) after he united China in 230 BCE. The war was to defend China from attack from the North but also to enhance the control of customs, enhance trade and control immigration.

Julius Caesar Invades Britain

55 BCE

Julius Caesar invaded Britain to further the interests of Rome as they were aiding the Gauls with their war with Rome. Julius Caesar secured the tribute of British in the South East paving the way to a full conquest of Britain in 43CE.

The Silk Road connects with Europe

30 BCE

The Silk Road was a network of trade routes stretching from China across Asia to Europe. It enabled the interactions between a number of civilisations and the flow of goods and ideas. It stretches back approx to 2000 BCE.

Roman Army leaves Britain

410

The Roman Empire was crumbling away. Britain was a remote part of the Empire so it was abandoned by the Roman army so it could go and protect Rome. This left the Britons open to attack from raids from Ireland and Scotland. People from Northern Europe known as Anglo-Saxons settled in Britain, this is the beginning of the period known as Dark Ages.

Porcelain was first produced in China

600

Porcelain was first produced in China around 600 C.E. The skilful transformation of ordinary clay into beautiful objects has captivated the imagination of people throughout history and across the globe. Chinese ceramics, by far the most advanced in the world, were made for the imperial court, the domestic market, or for export.

Pu Jin Iron Bridge was Constructed

610

The Chinese constructed a floating bridge across the Yalu River; this was anchored by iron work. These anchors were crafted to look like Oxen; the floating parts of the bridge were linked together by iron chains.

Printing Invented

700

Blocks of wood where the text had been carved out. Ink was put onto the block and the paper was laid onto the bloc which then absorbed the ink. Europeans got this technology in the 14th century when travellers brought them from China.

Alfred the Great becomes the first king of the English

878

In 878 Alfred the King of Wessex (in the South and West of England) defeated the Danish and united England and became the King of all of England. In his reign England developed into a Medieval Kingdom with unified laws and administrative system which made England rich kingdom in Europe.

Norman Invasion of England

1066

England is invaded and conquered by William of Normandy. England sees the introduction of the Feudal System and castles. The Domesday Book is written; this book is great for historians as it gives a unique picture of what Medieval society looked like.

Marco Polo Travels to China

1271

Marco Polo travels across Asia on the newly reopened Silk Road that had been made safe by the rise of the Mongol Empire. His book on his ravels became famous in Europe and stimulated European trade with Asia and Middle East and helped bring about the Renaissance in Europe.

Gutenburg invents the Printing Press

1440

Johann Gutenberg a goldsmith from Mainz in Germany invented the printing press. It used a screw press, oil based ink and introduced Europe to metal moveable type, these innovations made printing quick and efficient.

Columbus Sails to America

1492

Christopher Columbus sailed west from Europe to find a route to Asia; instead he stumbled across the American continent. This sparked off the age of European conquest of the Americas and voyages to Asia. It also saw the beginning of the rise of Spain, France and England as world powers.