The search for ancient China

In the late-19th and early-20th centuries, as China opened its doors to the rest of the world, Western archaeologists introduced new field methods that led to important discoveries and the establishment of scientific bodies of research.

However, as China turned in on itself from 1949 to 1990, Chinese archaeology entered a dark age.

Today, in an era of cooperation, the splendours and achievements of ancient China are revealed to modern eyes.

This work is an examination of the latest discoveries in the archaeology of Ancient China, including: the early Neolithic painted pottery; the Shang bronzes; the bronze bells of the Marquis Yi of Zeng; the terracotta army of Qin Shi Huangdi, the first emperor; and the lavish tomb of the Marquis of Dai and his family from the Han dynasty.