CHINA

Map of Xia China c.2000 BC :

The semi-mythical first dynasty of China emerged in territory along the Yellow River, quickly conquering and dominating the rival early states around it, especially the Shang tribe who would later pose such a threat to Xia hegemony, but also others such as the largely mysterious Pi, and Ge.

Map of Shang China c.1500 BC :

The Shang controlled central China, including a long stretch of the Yellow River and a large number of subject tribes or kingdoms, and they ushered China into the historical record - however, the Shang did not form China's only civilisation; the Sanxingdui culture had formed in western China entirely independently of the Yellow River cultures.

Map of Zhou China c.1000 BC :

The Zhou took over the Shang kingdom and expanded it eastwards to encompass much more of the coast and north-westwards at the expense of the barbarian tribes, while in the west the Sanxingdui culture was enjoying its last days before two natural disasters in half a century finished it.

Map of Zhou China c.700 BC :

The Middle Zhou or 'Spring and Autumn Period' witnessed the gradual breakdown of imperial authority and the rise of semi-independent feudal states which eventually tore the kingdom apart.

Map of Zhou China c.400 BC :

The Late Zhou period also heralded the 'Warring States Era' which saw almost three centuries of bitter rivalry and warfare between a mass of fractured Chinese kingdoms. Eventually the kingdom of Qin, on the western edge of early China would conquer the rest, while the Shu and Ba people were also brought into the kingdom for the first time.