Ancient China by GBS Middle Schoolers by GillenBrewerSchool

ByTheGillenBrewerMiddleSchool

Spring,2025

Cover Design made from Middle School Calligraphy Art

Book Design help from Alex Parks

By Michael Mileto

China is a very large country in Asia.

It is the oldest continuous civilization in the world. The country began around 6,000 B.C.E. in the Stone Age. People began farming near the Yellow River, then the Yangtze River

China is important because they made many things that we use today. It has a very fascinating history.

In this book you will learn about The Terracotta Army, The Great Wall, Silk and the important inventions that China made.

Unknown Artist

“First half of Ten Thousand Li of the Yangzi River”

Ming Dynasty

(1368-1644)

By Austin Choi

The Great Wall of China is the longest wall in the world. It is in North China. It is around 4,000 miles long and 25 feet high. The wall was built with stone. The reason for the wall is to keep enemies out. It started in pieces but then Emperor Qin Shi Huang built it up in 200 B.C.E.

Other dynasties added to the wall for 2,000 years. It was built by millions of people including peasants, soldiers and criminals, as punishment Even children worked. People still visit the wall because it is one of the wonders of the world.

By Andrew Yi

The Terracotta Army is the eighth wonder of the world because it is mysterious and remarkable. The Terracotta Army is 8,000 life-size terracotta clay soldiers. They were made for Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the First Emperor of China. It’s located in Xi’an China. In Emperor Qin’s tomb, you’ll find that each soldier is unique They have different facial expressions, gear & hairstyles. They are about 5 feet 11 inches tall. They held weapons such as, crossbows, daggers, maces, spears & swords. I wonder how they were made.

The astounding discovery of the Terracotta Army happened by accident. The Terracotta Army was discovered in March, 1974 by Chinese farmers They were digging a well. Archaeologists dug up the Terracotta Army after. Emperor Qin wanted to live forever. When kings or noble people died, they were buried with their servants. The terracotta figures were a substitute. They were made by 700,000 Craftsmen. They used an assembly line. They used molds for the legs, arms, torsos and heads. I feel that I enjoyed learning about the Terracotta Army.

By Isabella Richardson

The Terracotta Army is an interesting part of ancient China's history. The Terracotta Army is made up of 8,000 life-size clay soldiers. It was made as a tomb for the first ever emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang. It is also located in Xian, China. They're all unique, with different head gear and hair styles. These details give clues about their ranks. They also held real weapons such as crossbows and swords. The Terracotta Army has 150 life-size cavalry horses, 130 chariots, 520 horses and figures of government officials and entertainers.

The tomb was a mammoth size. There are many pits and chambers in this tomb. One chamber that is less than a mile away from the rest hasn't been excavated. That chamber has the emperor. It's believed that there are many artifacts inside and palaces, precious stones, and rivers of mercury flowing through mountains of bronze. That sounds fancy! Until archeologists find a way to expose the tomb without damaging the treasures inside, it will stay closed. This chamber is such a mystery!

TheTerracottaArmyhad manypitsandchambers.

ThisisanillustrationofthetombofEmperor QinShiHuang.Archeologistsbelievethatthey woulddamagethetreasuresinsideiftheyopen it,soitwillstayclosedfornow.

By Michael Mileto

China is known for making many important inventions. There are four main ones Paper is one of the four great Chinese inventions It was invented in the 2nd century in 100 CE by a palace official named Cai Lun. He made paper from rags, fibers of trees and plants. After he invented paper he was promoted in the court and became rich. Paper was used for books, maps, toilet paper and money.

Printing is another major invention. Printing was used for copying text on paper before computers. It was made and developed from 206 BC to 220 AD in the Han Dynasty It started as woodblock printing which is like a stamp carved on wood. Later Bi Sheng invented movable type, which was even faster. It was invented because they couldn’t find a way to write by hand on paper fast enough.

The compass was very important too. It was invented and developed from 206 BC to 220 AD. They used the compass for traveling across the sea. It was used because they needed to know where to go.

Gunpowder is the last great invention and made out of charcoal, saltpeter and sulfur. It was made and developed around 800 C.E. When they made it they thought it would give them eternal life but it caused a fire, so they had an idea to use it for fireworks and weapons such as flaming arrows. As you can see, China made a lot of inventions we still use today!

3,000B.C.E 2,000B.C.E

Silkinvented

BronzeAgebegan

200C.E.

EmperorQinunifiedChina

CaiLuninventedpaper

Woodblockprintinginvented

800C.E.

Gunpowderinvented

By Soham Koulajian

Silk is a beautiful fabric invented in ancient China It was created thousands of years ago The silk is made with threads from the cocoons of worms. Silk was made in many colors and patterns.

The noble class was the only class allowed to wear silk in Ancient China. The noble class included rulers like the emperor and his family Inside the palace, the Emperor wore a long dress made of white silk. Outside the palace, the Emperor and his family could wear yellow silk.

Silk also became popular in other places like Rome. Rome is in Europe, which is far away from China. Traders used the Silk Road to bring silk and other items to sell It was a long journey. Silk made them a lot of money. China kept how to make silk a secret for thousands of years until someone stole silkworm eggs and mulberry plants. Silk still exists today and people still love it.

Silkcomesinmanycolorsandpatterns! Manythingsaremadefromsilktoday:Fancy gowns,men’sties,pajamas,andtraditional clothinglikeJapanesekimonosandIndian sarees.

By Lucas Dolce

Silk is a beautiful cloth. It was for rich people and emperors and their families. Empress Leizu discovered silk. A silkworm cocoon fell in her tea and the thread unraveled. This happened around 3,000 B.C.E. in China. Silk was important because it made them a lot of money.

Making silk is a hard process. To make silk we need silkworms. They eat mulberry leaves for 45 days. When they are done eating, they spin their cocoons. Spinning takes 3 to 4 days. Then people put the cocoon in steam or hot water to loosen the thread Each thread takes 3,000 feet. I learned about silk and I think silk is amazing!

ThisistheSilkworm Lifecycle!

Silkworm

Cocoon

Adult Moth

Eggs

Larvae

AustinChoi is twelve years old. He lives in Long Island City. He likes to learn about Ancient China in school. In his free time, he likes to play computer games and read books. He would like to share that he ran a 5K race with his family in Chicago.

LucasReedDolce is 10 years old. He lives in New York City. In his free time he likes to build Lego kits and play with his sister. He would like to share that he loves his sister so much.

SohamKoulajian is twelve years old. He lives in New York City. At school, he likes math and book club. In his free time, he like to drive his remote control car. His favorite treat is macarons.

MichaelMileto is eleven years old. He lives in Brooklyn, New York. He like to learn about Ancient China in school. In his free time, he likes to play Fortnite. He would like to share that he likes all his classmates.

IsabellaRichardson is eleven years old. She lives in New York. She likes to learn about flags at school. In her free time, she likes to play with plushies. Her favorite colors are gold and silver.

AndrewYi is twelve years old. He lives in Manhattan, New York. He likes to learn about math in school. In his free time, he listens to music including Taylor Swift songs. Andrew loves to eat good food, especially Korean food.