This volume, intended for the general public, outlines the history of ancient China, from its origins to the 18th century. It describes the unique aspects of China's evolution, as seen through the perspective of its social history, that is, its culture, customs, political and social concepts, state organization, economy, and generally how its people lived. The key aspects of this narrative, which begins with China's pre-dynastic eras and the onset of the Han dynasty, are the enigmatic but consistent traces of what was a refined and extremely ritualized civilization.In our description of the development of ancient China from its origins to the moment of the Mongol conquest and the resulting Yuan dynasty, we sought to provide a historical framework within which we could establish the salient features of the country's artistic developments as well as a standpoint for observing the transformations and changes in the social, political, philosophical, and economic arenas.This fabulous and fascinating civilization - with its vast burial complexes and their sumptuous grave goods, superb artistic tradition, and striking skills in metalworking and ceramics - is brought to life by the lovely and spellbinding images included here.