1 102 A The Qin and Han Empires @ In 221 BC, China was unified by Shihuangdi. He and his Han successors ruled through a highly organized civil service. Iron and salt production were nationalized. Agricultural innovations increased productivity. The elite enjoyed great wealth, shown in the fabulous furnishings of their tombs - that of Shihuangdi contained an army of terracotta soldiers.
#Qin and Han, terracotta army
2 102 C Nomads @ Central Asian steppe nomads, especially the Xiongnu, harassed China and its trade routes west. In response, the Han erected massive defensive walls, garrisoned border regions and conducted vigorous campaigns against them. The later Han, however, their power undermined by internal unrest, succumbed to nomad incursions. One group, the Toba Wei, for many years controlled northern China.
#Central Asian nomads, late Zhou depiction of Xiongnu
3 102 B Yayoi Japan @ From 300 BC, rice farming became established throughout western Japan, spreading from the regions of its first introduction, though in eastern and northern Japan the spread of farming was resisted. Still using stone for everyday tools, the farmers also made bronze weapons and ritual objects, especially bells. Weapons and defended settlements indicate that warfare was developing.
