Activity 17, Demystifying Chinese: Language and
Culture
Shang Dynasty
Characters |
Handout 17A |
The Situation
In recent years archaeologists investigating tombs and
sites of ancient cities in China have been increasing their knowledge of the
earliest Chinese societies, such as the Shang Dynasty
(1511-1128 B.C.). Imagine yourself to be part of a team digging up a
tomb in North China. You have studied the Characters from Shag D
ynasty writing, some of which are shown below. During your digging
you find some new tablets. The characters shown on Handout 17B-on
these newly found tablets-are not known to you. Using the characters
you already know, can you discover the meanings of the new characters?
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sun |
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hand |
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door |
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shelter |
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person |
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mouth |
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field |
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plant |
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one |
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ten |
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up |
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woman |
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tree |
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river |
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eye |
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word/speech |
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cart/Chariot |
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