What ever happened to the Mighty Qin?
An Internet Treasure Hunt on Imperial China

Created by Darelyn Dawson, Lee FitzGerald and Ken Wong
Trinity Grammar School, Summer Hill, Sydney, Australia

Introduction | The Questions | Internet Resources

Introduction

Set off on a treasure hunt to uncover the Imperial Age of China!

As part of this journey, you may travel to the tasks that interest you.

Choose between and 2 and 4 tasks to complete, depending on how much detail you want to go into.

Questions

Question One

• You are a potter in the court of the Emperor Qin. Look at the decorative vases at the Splendors of Asian Art site listed below, and the books provided . Design a vase for the Imperial quarters.
  
  

Question Two

Use the Daily life in ancient civilisations site, and the books provided, to answer these questions:

• What forms of currency did the Ancient Chinese use?

• When was paper money first developed?

• You are one of the First Emperor's officials.

• Write a letter to the Emperor expressing your views on irrigation.

• Develop a table contrasting Ancient Chinese characters with modern ones, making sure you give the meanings.

• China has been called the Land of Three Religions. What are they? Describe the basic beliefs of each one.

• Name the Three Perfections.

• What was an oracle bone? What was it used for?

• Explain ancestor worship.

• Analyse the influence of the teachings of Confucius.
  

Question Three

Use the Ancient China books and The Ancient Dynasties site to answer these questions.

• Who were 2 Chinese Emperors? Write at least 3 facts about each.
• Draw a picture of the Celestial ruler
• Prepare a skit - This is Your Life, First Emperor
• Who's Who in Ancient China - develop a time line of the dynasties in Ancient China
• What were four accomplishments of the Qin Dynasty?

Question Four

Use the Ancient China books and the web site Destination China to answer these questions:

• Develop a time line for important dates in the Chinese Empire.Use

• Why did Emperor Qin try to burn every book in the land?

• Why were thousands of terracotta soldiers buried with the emperors?

• Pretend you are a young soldier in the army of the First Emperor Describe one of the battles you are involved in.

Question Five

Use the Ancient China books and the web site A map of the Great Wall to answer the following questions:

• How long is the Great Wall of China?
• Make a model or drawing of the Great Wall of China and on a card explain why it was important to China
• Make a relief map of China and indicate the position of the Great Wall
• When did they begin to construct the Great Wall?
• Who was the original builder of the wall?

Question Six

Use the Ancient China books and the web site Historical setting for China to answer this question:

• You are a court official in the Qin dynasty and you are taking a journey throughout China for the Emperor. Draw a map of China indicating the places you will visit. Write a short report on one of the cities you visited and describe the lifestyle of the people in that town.

Question Seven

Using the Ancient China books and the web site Guide to Ancient China on the web, answer this question:

• You live in Ancient China at the time of the Qin dynasty. Design a postcard highlights some of the tourist attractions for that period.

Question Eight

Using Ancient China books and the web site Chinese Inventions, from the Franklin Institute, answer this question:

• You are inventors at a convention at the court of the Imperial Qin. Explain what your inventions are, and why you think they will be important. Cover at least three inventions.
  

The Internet Resources

1. Splendors of Asian Art
2. Daily life in ancient civilizations
3. The Ancient Dynasties
4. Destination China
5. A Map of the Great Wall of China
6. Historical setting for China
7. Guide to Ancient China on the web
8. Chinese Inventions, from the Franklin Institute

The Big Question

This Treasure Hunt will help you uncover some of the riches of China's cultural heritage. Using what you have found out from doing your eight questions, put together a mind map of your new knowledge. Make your mind map as visually appealing as possible.