Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Pangasinan State University: Asian Studies (Sse 105)
Pangasinan State University: Asian Studies (Sse 105)
belonging to the genus Homo, are seen as by-products of events and processes that
occurred in the past.
The biological transition of humans from its earliest state to its current physical and
biological makeup took millions of years to complete. Despite this, scientists, through the
help of archaeological pieces of evidence and modern technology, were able to identify
and distinguish distinct transitional stages of human evolution. These stages are
described below.
Theory of Special Creation
Carolus Linnaeuos- All living things came into existence in their present forms
especially and specifically created by nature.
Theory of Evolution- Organisms might EVOLVE through time, with one type of
organisms giving rise to another type of organisms.
Jean Baptiste Lamarck- “All knowledge that is not the real product of
observation, or of consequences deduced from observation, is entirely
groundless and illusory”
Charles Darwin- “It is not the strongest species that survives, nor the most
intelligent, but the one most responsive to change”
-The Struggle for Existence
-Survival of the fittest
-Natural Selection
-MICROEVOLUTION
-MACROEVOLUTION
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PREHISTORIC PERIOD
• Old Stone Age (Paleolithic)- The Paleolithic period is the first phase of the Stone Age.
This period started the creation and use of crude stone tools which are the most
primitive among the three periods. The word "Palaeolithic" is derived from the Greek
words palaios (old) and lithos(stone) to collectively mean "old stone age."
• Paleolithic began with the appearance of the first human beings. T
• he early humans were nomads.
• These early human were hunter gatherers.
• They use stone tools.
• The beginnings of domestication and agriculture.
• Cave paintings have been found during this era.
• New Stone Age (Neolithic)- The word "Neolithic" was derived from the Ancient Greek
words neos (new) and lithos (stone) that collective translates to "new stone age. “
• The Neolithic or New Stone Age (7 to 10,000 years ago) pertains to a stage of culture
following the Paleolithic and is characterized by the use of polished stone implements,
development of permanent dwellings, cultural advances such as pottery making,
domestication of animals and plants, the cultivation of grain and fruit trees, and weaving.
Also known as the Agricultural Revolution
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• The change from hunting/gathering to primitive farming appears so abrupt that this
technological change is often characterized as the Neolithic Revolution. The discovery of
smelting and the creation of bronze tools has given the name Bronze Age to the Late
Neolithic period.
• Change from hunter-gatherers to farmers
• Systematic agriculture: the keeping of animals and growing food on a regular basis
• Animals used for meat, milk, wool, and work
• Rise of permanent settlements
• Neolithic age began with the practice of agriculture and cattle raising.
• During this period, human started to domesticate animals, (goats, sheep, cows).
• Humans at this stage stopped being nomads and their life become sedentary.
• The first man-made stone tools appeared in Paleolithic time becoming more elaborate
during Neolithic age.
• Invention of plow, sickle and hand mill.
• Domestication- The process of increasing human control in breeding animals or plants
to regulate certain traits that will make them useful for other human needs. The
domestication of animals and plants implied that humans stayed in a particular area to
enable their resources to grow and expand. Some plants and animals utilized for
domestication included wheat, barley, corn, nuts, cattle, goats, and sheep. Adaptation of
plants and animals for human use.
• The Paleolithic period saw humans as hunter-gatherers in society. They were nomadic
people who could easily transfer from one area to another to hunt animals or gather
plants for consumption and survival. This had been the practice until around 12,000 BCE
when humans started to domesticate animals and crops. This era of this newfound
lifestyle is called the Neolithic Revolution
• Sociopolitical Evolution of Man: Neolithic Revolution- The Neolithic revolution paved
the way for the creation of civilization through permanent settlements dictated by reliable
food supply.
• Development in domestication techniques and practices allow for a more complex
society and the possibility for urbanization.
• With the emergence of towns and cities came the birth of trade and marketplaces. This
led to the economy and a hierarchical society with public leaders and castes.
• A form of social stratification was developed. This created the idea of inequality and
ideas of social power and influence.
• Economic Developments- Because of the domestication of crops and animals,
abundant supplies of food and resources were maintained.
• A selective breeding process of plants and animals that would allow for the development
of new species was introduced.
• Biological Developments- There was increase in lifespan and human population
across civilizations. People learned to play different social roles apart from being farmers
(e.g. craftsman, priest, leader).
• Evidence for the Existence of the Neolithic Revolution- Here are some actual
evidences found to support the existence of this era.
• There were morphological changes among Neolithic people, including brain size and
mandible and simple dietary changes from solely eating plants to consumption of meat.
• A subterranean structure in Abu-Hureyra, Syria was found to have been built during the
Neolithic Revolution and served as a communal storage facility.
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• Paleolithic people have fairly healthy teeth, but during the Neolithic Revolution, there
was an increased caries rate. Neolithic teeth were also more worn down and pitted,
owing to hard inclusions from poorly grounded flour.
• Molleson (1994) has proven that there were changes in the bones of women that were
task-related and associated with cereal grinding.
Provincial Ensis
Regular priests
Nobles
Peasants
Slaves
Religious beliefs: Polytheistic religion- Worshipped gods and goddesses of or
like those of the Sumerians
Akkadians Contributions to Civilization
Akkadian artists discovered “lost wax”
When Sargon was king military traditions such as spearman formations and
shield walls were established
People began to use the language that the Sumerians had previously used
Started a new form of calligraphy which they put on clay tablets with beautiful
scenes of mythology and festive life
2. BABYLONIANS 1792 B.C-1155 B.C
Invaders from the Arabian Desert entered Mesopotamia & seized the city-state of
Babylon
Hammurabi became the king of Babylon
Hammurabi took control of the city-states in lower Mesopotamia & established
the Babylonian Empire
The Babylonians adopted many Sumerian ways
Political Setting: The ruler of Babylonia was the king, so it was an absolute
monarch who exercised legislative and judicial as well as executive powers.
Economic Life:
Babylonian Economy was based on Agriculture.
Barter System
They raised cattle and sheep
Main crop was barley
Socio-cultural Status: 3 main classes
Awilu – free person of upper class
Mushkenu – free person of low estate
Wardu – slaves
Education: Babylonian education starts at the age of eight. Education is
exclusive for children of wealthy families. They were taught in so called “tablet
house”.
Religious beliefs: Polytheistic
Babylonians worshipped many gods. One is Marduk, the chief god, god of the
city of Babylon. Festivals were held throughout the year for each specific god to
assure their favor.
Babylonians Contributions to Civilization
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Hammurabi’s Code
Consisting of 282 laws, the code affected all aspects of life, including farming,
trade, wages & punishments.
The Babylonians believed in astrology
3. HITTITES 1600 B.C-1200 B.C
The Hittites Empire stretched from Mesopotamia to Syria and Palestine.
The Hittites ruled Mesopotamia from 1600 BC to 1200 BC.
Hittites were from Hatti, which was located in central Anatolia.
Political setting: The Hittite governing institutions revolved around the king.
Economic life: The Hittites engaged in a lucrative trade with neighboring lands,
particularly with the wealthy urban societies of Mesopotamia
Socio-cultural status: At the top of Hittite society were the King and his kinsmen
– members of the “Great Family” who enjoyed special status and privileges.
Religious beliefs: The Hittites had many gods.
They adopted a lot of the gods from the Sumerians and the Old Babylonians.
After they took over civilizations, they took their gods into their religious system.
Hittites Contributions to Civilization
The Hittites were the first people to invent iron because they were a military
organization state
They kept their cuneiform writings in clay envelopes
Most important event is the raid of Mursilis in 1595, which ended the Amorite
dynasty in Babylon. Important Accomplishment and Event
4. ASSYRIANS 1300’s B.C-612 B.C
The Assyrians were ruthless conquerors who overran Phoenicia, Palestine,
Babylonia & other parts of the Middle East.
Their empire was the largest one the world had seen at that time.
In battle, the Assyrians used bows with iron-tipped arrows, iron spears & swords
and battering rams to break through brick walls that guarded cities. Their armies
were the 1st to use men on horseback.
The hated Assyrians terrorized the people with acts of violence & torture.
The Assyrian empire lasted for 150 years before being destroyed by the
Chaldeans & Persians.
Political setting: Central government with provincial governors
Government office in each province
Each governor reports directly to the king
Conquered rulers required to pay tribute
Conquered peoples required to pay heavy taxes
Economic life: Based off agriculture & herding
Not known for trade
Possibly collected taxes from traders passing through the land
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2. HELLENISTIC WORLD
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Egyptians NE Africa 750 miles Medical, hieroglyphic writing Absorbed by the Roman
3100-27 downstream from 1st system, architecture and Empire
BCE cataract of Nile engineering, lunar calendar;
number system includes,
geometry
Hyksos Lower Egypt Chariots, ruled Egypt and Driven from Egypt by the
1800-1580 northward into Asia taught them the use of Egyptians and dispersed
BCE Minor chariots and compound bows
Summerian Lowest part of the city-states, cuneiform, Did not unite under one
s Tigris - Euphrates river arch/ziggurats, wheel, government and warred with
3500-2400 valley algebra/time measuring each other; conquered by the
BCE system Akkadians
Akkadians Entire area of Sargon (1st empire builder) Conquered by the Old
2400-2300 Mesopotamia (Tigris - Babylonians (Amorites)
BCE Euphrates river valley)
Old
Babylonian
s Most of the Fertile
Hammurabi's Code of Law Conquered by the Hittites
(Amorites) Crescent
1800-1600
BCE
Hittites Mostly western part of 1st peoples to smelt iron and Weakened by Sea Peoples
1600-1200 Fertile Crescent and use iron weapons; system of and conquered by the
BCE into Asia Minor laws Assyrians
Assyrians Fertile Crescent and military innovations: calvary, Conquered by the Neo-
(900-612 Egypt battering ram Babylonians (Chaldeans)
BCE)
Neo- Fertile Crescent and Nebuchadnezzar, city of Conquered by the
Babylonian Egypt Babylon, astronomy; brought Achaeminid Persians
s Jews to Babylon in exile
(Chaldeans
)
612-538
BCE
Persians Central Asia with an Cyrus the Great, Darius, Conquered by Alexander the
(Achaemini empire that eventually Xerxes, Zoraster Great of Macedon
d dynasty) reached from Greece to
1800-331 India and Egypt
Phoenician Asia Minor, Coastal Sea faring, establishment of Absorbed into other cultures
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Xiao- children must respect their parents, but a child has a duty to dispute with
his/her parents if necessary.
Yi- The same as the one in the five constants, which is the moral disposition to
do good.
Contributions of Confucianism:
Public Policies, Family codes, Relationship ethics, Education, Government.
Influenced the Chinese people to respect their leaders and their leaders to set a
good example as well.
Explained humanity as ‘to love the people' and 'to love the masses extensively'.
Development of everyone’s potential ability.
The Golden Rule: “Don’t di into others what you do not want to do unto you”.
The book of “The Analects of Confucius”.- Built on the foundational belief that
man is basically good.
Teachings:
*Morality
*The importance of justice, sincerity and filial piety- the duty of every son to serve
his parents.
TAOISM
Taoism (also spelled Daoism) is a religion and a philosophy from ancient China
that has influenced folk and national belief. Taoism has been connected to the
philosopher Lao Tzu, who around 500 B.C.E. wrote the main book of Taoism,
the Tao Te Ching.
Taoism holds that humans and animals should live in balance with the Tao, or
the universe. Taoists believe in spiritual immortality, where the spirit of the body
joins the universe after death.
LAO TZU- Little is truly known about the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu
(sometimes also known as Laozi or Lao Tze), who is a guiding figure in Daoism
(also translated as Taoism), a still popular spiritual practice.
He is said to have been a record keeper in the court of the central Chinese Zhou
Dynasty in the 6th century B.C., and an older contemporary of Confucius. This
could be true, but he may also have been entirely mythical much like Homer in
Western culture.
It is certainly very unlikely that (as some legends say) he was conceived when
his mother saw a falling star, or was born an old man with very long earlobes or
lived 990 years.
TAO TE CHING
The Tao Te Ching, or “The Way and Its Power,” is a collection of poetry and
sayings from around the third and fourth centuries B.C.E. that guides Taoist
thought and actions. While the author is traditionally believed to be the
philosopher Lao Tzu, there is little evidence that Lao Tzu existed at all. Rather,
the Tao Te Ching is a gathering of earlier sayings from many authors. This book
was given an origin with the philosopher Lao Tzu for cultural and political
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reasons. Lao Tzu is sometimes understood as the image of the Tao, or a god,
and given legendary status.
Yin-Yang
Yin and yang elements come in pairs—such as the moon and the sun, female
and composed of many different, sometimes opposing, forces, these can coexist
and even complement each other. Sometimes, forces opposite in nature even
rely on one another to exist. The nature of yin-yang lies in the interchange and
interplay of the two components. The alternation of day and night is just such an
example: there cannot be a shadow without light.
The balance of yin and yang is important. If yin is stronger, yang will be weaker,
and vice versa. Yin and yang can interchange under certain conditions so that
they are usually not yin and yang alone. In other words, yin elements can contain
certain parts of yang, and yang can have some components of yin. This balance
of yin and yang is perceived to exist in everything.
Generally speaking, yin is characterized as an inward energy that is feminine,
still, dark, and negative. On the other hand, yang is characterized as outward
energy, masculine, hot, bright, and positive.
POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS
Imperial Government
The history of China is generally presented according to the dynasty to which the
period’s ancient rulers belonged. From its inauguration in c. 2070 BC to the
abdication of its last emperor in 1912, China was ruled by a series of 13
successive dynasties.
1. Xia Dynasty (c. 2070-1600 BC)
The Xia dynasty was founded by the legendary Yu the Great (c. 2123-2025 BC),
known for developing a flood control technique that stopped the Great Flood that
ravaged farmer’s crops for generations.
As no contemporary sources exist, very little is known about the Xia period. For
this reason, some scholars believe it to be mythical or quasi-legendary.
2. Shang Dynasty (c. 1600-1050 BC)
The Shang dynasty is the earliest recorded Chinese dynasty supported by
archaeological evidence. 31 kings ruled much of the area along the Yellow River.
Under the Shang dynasty, there were advances in math, astronomy, art and
military technology. They used a highly developed calendar system and an early
form of modern Chinese language.
Also historically known as the Yin dynasty, was a Chinese dynasty that ruled in
the middle and lower Yellow River valley in the second millennium BC,
succeeding the Xia dynasty and followed by the Zhou dynasty.
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The name ‘Han’ was taken as the name of the Chinese people. Today, the Han
Chinese make up the dominant ethnic group in China and the largest in the
world.
6. Six Dynasties Period (220-589)
Three Kingdoms (220-265), Jin Dynasty (265-420), Period of the Northern and
Southern Dynasties (386-589).
Six Dynasties is the collective term for the six successive Han-ruled dynasties
during this turbulent period. All had their capitals at Jianye, present-day Nanjing.
The name is derived from the six successive dynasties of South China that had
their capitals at Jianye (later Jiankang; present-day Nanjing) during this time: the
Wu (222–280), the Dong (Eastern) Jin (317–420), the Liu-Song (420–479), the
Nan (Southern) Qi (479–502), the Nan Liang (502–557), and the Nan Chen
(557–589).
The Three Kingdoms period has been romanticized repeatedly in Chinese culture
most notably in the novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
-people began to write about art and appreciate painting for its own beauty.
Xie He and draw a timeline of the eras within the Six Dynasties
Xie He—a writer, art historian, and critic in 5th century China—is most famous for
outlining six points to consider when judging a painting. These were taken from
the preface to his book, The Record of the Classification of Old Painters, written
circa 550 CE. According to him, the six elements that define a painting are:
Spirit Resonance, or vitality, which refers to the flow of energy that
encompasses theme, work, and artist. Xie He said that without Spirit Resonance,
there was no need to explore a painting further.
Bone Method, or the way of using the brush, which refers not only to texture and
brush strokes, but also to the close link between handwriting and personality. In
his day, the art of calligraphy was inseparable from that of painting.
Correspondence to the Object, or the depicting of form, which includes shapes
and lines.
Suitability to Type, or the application of color, which includes layers, value, and
tone.
Division and Planning, or placing and arrangement, which corresponds to
composition, space, and depth.
Transmission by Copying, or the copying of models, which means not only
from life but also from works of antiquity.
7. Sui Dynasty (581-618)
The Sui dynasty, although brief, saw great changes in Chinese history. Its capital
was held at Daxing, present-day Xi’an.
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Khan created the new capital city of Xanadu (or Shangdu in Inner Mongolia). The
main centre of the Mongol Empire was later moved to Daidu, present day Beijing.
The Mongols’ reign in China came to an end after a series of famines, plagues,
floods and peasant uprisings.
12. Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)
The Ming dynasty saw a huge growth in China’s population and general
economic prosperity. However, the Ming emperors were dogged with the same
problems of previous regimes and collapsed with the invasion of the Manchus.
During the dynasty, the Great Wall of China was completed. It also saw the
construction of the Forbidden City, the imperial residence in Beijing. The period is
also known for its blue-and-white Ming porcelains.
13. Qing Dynasty (1644-1912)
The Qing dynasty was the last imperial dynasty in China, succeeded by the
Republic of China in 1912. The Qing were made up of ethnic Manchus from the
northern Chinese region of Manchuria.
The Qing dynasty was the 5th largest empire in world history. However, by the
early 20th century its rulers were weakened by rural unrest, aggressive foreign
powers and military weakness.
During the 1800s, Qing China faced attacks from Britain, France, Russia,
Germany and Japan. The Opium Wars (1839-42 and 1856-60) ended with Hong
Kong ceding to Britain and the humiliating defeat of the Chinese army.
On 12 February 1912, 6-year-old Puyi – the last emperor of China – abdicated. It
brought an end to the thousand-year imperial rule of China and marked the
beginning of republic and socialist rule.
Four Classes
From the Qin Dynasty to the late Qing Dynasty (221 B.C.- A.D. 1840), the
Chinese government divided Chinese people into four
classes: landlord, peasant, craftsmen, and merchant. Landlords and peasants
constituted the two major classes, while merchants and craftsmen were collected
into the two minor. Theoretically, except for the position of the Emperor, nothing
was hereditary.
A landlord is the owner of a house, apartment, condominium, land, or real estate
which is rented or leased to an individual or business, who is called a tenant
(also a lessee or renter). When a juristic person is in this position, the term
landlord is used. Other terms include lessor and owner. The term landlady may
be used for the female owners, and lessor may be used regardless of gender.
The manager of a pub in the United Kingdom, strictly speaking a licensed
victualler, is referred to as the landlord/lady.
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Tibetan Buddhism:
Prevalent in Tibet, Nepal, Mongolia, Bhutan, and parts of Russia and northern
India
Tibetan Buddhism combines the essential teachings of Mahayana Buddhism with
Tantric and Shamanic, and material from an ancient Tibetan religion called Bon.
Dharma
Buddha’s teachings are known as “dharma.” He taught that wisdom, kindness,
patience, generosity and compassion were important virtues.
Specifically, all Buddhists live by five moral precepts, which prohibit:
Killing living things
Taking what is not given
Sexual misconduct
Lying
Using drugs or alcohol
Four Noble Truths
• Code of Bushido
• 1.) Bushido, literally the way of the warrior was a code of ethics of the warrior
that would be analogous to the code of chivalry of the knights during the
European feudal period. Bushido was based on the Japanese national
tradition and religious heritage: largely Shinto and Buddhism.
• 2.) The concept of Bushido was first developed in the Kamakura period (12
century) at the rise of the Shogunates (regional politico-military feudal lords).
• Seven Virtues
• Rectitude (gi)
• Courage (yuu)
• Benevolence (jin)
• Respect (rei)
• Honesty (Makoto or Shin)
• Honor (yo)
• Loyalty (chuu)
• Samurai Weapons
• Painstakingly made by hand from experienced armor craftsman, these lives
sized, fully functional and completely authentic reproduction Japanese
Samurai Armor and helmets are crafted using authentic methods and
materials only.
• With their husbands in combat almost continuously, 16 century samurai
women provided for the defense of their homes and children.
• After Tokugawa leyasu unified Japan, the role of women changed.
• There were various hairstyles in Japan for many years. In the hairstyle of the
many, the hairstyle of the male of about 400 years before and Japan is called
Samurai Hair.
• Samurai Hair is called "CHONMAGE" in many cases in Japanese. However,
originally in hairstyle which the old person who cannot dress hair summarized
to one behind the head is called "CHONMAGE". However, now, Samurai hair
came to point out all the hairstyles of about 400 years ago.
• Japanese Samurai
• Tokugawa and his descendants ruled over a peaceful Japan for two and half
centuries. The role of the samurai in peacetime declined gradually over this
period, but two factors led to the end of samurai: the urbanization of Japan,
and the end of isolationism.
• As more and more Japanese moved to the cities, there were fewer farmers
producing they rice needed to feed the growing population. The luxurious
living enjoyed by the shoguns and many daimyos started to wear away at the
economic system
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FARMER
• A farmer is someone who works under the umbrella of agriculture, producing
a variety of food products for human and animal consumption.
• The Farmers or peasant were viewed as the foundation of Japan and granted
a social standing just below the samurai class and superior to artisan and
merchant. Farmers were considered important in Edo Japan because they
produced the food that sustained the society.
• According to Confucian ideals, farmers were superior to artisans and
merchants because they produced the food that all the other classes
depended upon.
• They were very respected and were considered an honored Life of peasants
is focused on farming. To get their fields in nice growing conditions they
would plough the land with oxen's. Many farmers didn't grow enough oxen's,
so ploughing was very difficult. Instead they could sow the fields, which was a
3-year cycle. It was sown for 2 years and then left for the 3rd year, for the soil
to regain nutrients. They also used manure for fertilizer, which came from the
animals, such as: sheep, pigs, goats and chickens
• The peasants worked endless hours, working about 7 days a week. They
grew food such as herbs and rise, and they raised live stock. They were
required to work a certain number of days to work on their lord’s land, which
from that they would earn land rights.
• class. However, being a Japanese peasant had its lows as well. You could
not choose to be a peasant, and could only be born one. If you were a born
peasant, you did not have the opportunity to become anything else but to
follow the family tradition.
• Although they were respected by the upper classes, it did not mean that they
were treated well. Laws controlled every aspect of the peasants’ life. They
were forbidden to smoke tobacco or to drink rice wine, and they needed
special permission to travel outside their district.
• They lived under a crushing tax burden, and had to give up the majority of the
food they grew to the nobles, while only keeping whatever was left over for
themselves. This was only a tiny bit-or even nothing for all the endless hard
work that they did.
ARTISAN
• An artisan is someone that works with their hands to create unique, and
functional and decorative items using traditional techniques.
• Artisans were the skilled workers and makers of handicraft goods during the
Edo period. They were labeled a separate class, beneath the samurai and
farmers, but above the merchants. According to official Confucian ideology,
artisans were valued because they created something with their labor. Even
skilled samurai sword makers and boat wrights belonged to this third tier of
society in feudal Japan.
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Prepared by:
ALONA JEAN D. ZACARIAS
Instructor I