| ca. 5000 B.C.E. |
Emergence of regional Neolithic settlements |
| ca. 1500–1050 B.C.E. |
Shang Dynasty |
| ca. 1200 B.C.E. |
Evidence of writing found in royal tombs; chariots come into use |
| ca. 1050–256 B.C.E. |
Zhou Dynasty |
| ca. 900 B.C.E. |
Book of Songs, Book of Changes, Book of Documents |
| 551–479 B.C.E. |
Confucius |
| ca. 500 B.C.E. |
Iron technology in wide use; cities spread across the central Zhou states |
| 500–200 B.C.E. |
Golden age of Chinese philosophy |
| 453–403 B.C.E. |
The Art of War |
| 403–221 B.C.E. |
Warring States Period; decline of the Zhou Dynasty |
| ca. 370–300 B.C.E. |
Mencius |
| ca. 350 B.C.E. |
Infantry armed with crossbows |
| ca. 310–215 B.C.E. |
Xunzi |
| ca. 300–200 B.C.E. |
Early Daoist teachings outlined in the Laozi and the Zhuangzi |