Foundations of Eastern Civilization

Embarks on a journey through the geography, history, people and culture of Eastern civilisation with a reflection on the words `Eastern', `civilisation' and `foundations'.

Starting with the geography and climate of China, the cradle of Eastern civilization; looking at the geographical regions of China; exploring the country's two great river systems, which divide Chinese culture into two distinct regions.

The beginnings of Chinese history; what archeological evidence shows about humans in the Paleolithic and Neolithic eras; looking at the fragmented cultures of early civilizations, including the mysterious Xia dynasty.

Looking at evidence that the Shang dynasty is responsible for the development of Chinese writing, a complex social structure and the first large cities in East Asia; visiting the cities and tombs of the first significant Chinese dynasty.

Learning about the enigmatic "oracle bones"; the origins of Chinese writing; turning to the Shang society's social organization, religious practices and cosmology; how the concept of yin and yang emerges during the Shang dynasty.

Unpacking the Mandate of Heaven, a belief that seizure of power could be justified as an expression of divine will; how it resonates in Chinese political history for 3,000 years; the Zhou's overthrow of the Shang dynasty; the Zhou dynasty's legacy.