China at KS3 and KS4
Discover the history and culture of China, including the first
emperor and his terracotta army, the Great Wall of China, everyday
life and the three religions.
Resources for visits
Chinese Art
Jade jewellery, lacquer boxes, porcelain vases, bronze weapons.
Find out about the materials and decorative techniques
used in Chinese art in the Museum's collection.
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Online resources
Discover more about the Museum collection. Find detailed
information, background articles and images of many objects from
the Chinese galleries.
Online tours
Themed selections of objects and information to explore
A look at the lucky red money envelopes that are given as gifts
to celebrate Chinese New Year.
A selection of jade objects from the Selwyn and Ellie Alleyne
Gallery (Room 33b)
A look at the tradition of Chinese landscape painting.
British Museum websites
Early Imperial China
www.earlyimperialchina.co.uk
Explore the British Museum student's room to find a slide show of
the Great Wall and original sources describing the first emperor's
reign. Includes activities and lesson plans.
Ancient China
www.ancientchina.co.uk
Navigate the tomb of a wealthy lord, learn about the legendary
Pangu and Nuwa and even try silkworm farming!
Ancient civilizations
www.ancientcivilizations.co.uk
Explore ancient civilizations from around the world across time,
including the cities, buildings, religion and technology and trade
of Imperial China
Other useful websites
Royal Academy of Arts - The
Three Emperors 1662-1795
Treasures of the Silk Road at the British Museum
The Silk Road
Online
British Library education website exploring the culture of the Silk
Road including travel, trade, Buddhism, medicine and book
binding.
Useful books
Suitable for KS3 history
J. Brooman, Imperial China (Longman, 1992)
C. Gleisner, Imperial China (Oxford University Press, 2000)
H. Martell, Imperial China (Evans Brothers Limited, 1998)
A. Paludan, Chronicle of the Chinese Emperors (Thames and
Hudson, 1998)
F. Reynoldson, Imperial China (Heinemann Educational, 1991)
A. Cotterell, Eyewitness Guide: China (Dorling Kindersley, 1994)
Introduction to the history and culture of China, richly
illustrated with objects in the British Museum collection.
For teachers
J. Rawson (ed.), The British Museum Book of Chinese
Art (London, The British Museum Press, 1992)
A comprehensive survey of British Museum Chinese
objects from the Neolithic to the Modern Period.
Books which are published by the British Museum Press, can be
purchased at the museum shop, online or at any bookshop.