AGRICULTURE AND ENGINEERS
FORM OF CURRENCY
BUILDERS, WRITERS AND ARTISANS
MERCHANTS AND TRADERS
Ancient China's economy was mainly agrarian meaning that most people farmed. The land surrounding the Huang He and Chang Jiang rivers was fertile for growing crops such as wheat, millet, rice, fruits, vegetables, and livestock.
China created a standardized form of currency called the Ban Liang coin under the first emperor Shi Huangdi in 210 BCE. The first known paper money was invented under the Song Dynasty which ruled from 960-1279 BCE.
Artisans and craftspeople worked with pottery, porcelain, metals like bronze and later iron to craft vessels, sculptures, art and weapons. They also made paper and silk.
In ancient China merchants and traders were considered lower class, but they were vital to society. They traded goods such as paper and silk which were valuable commoditiesexchanged along the Silk Road as far away as southern Europe.
ECONOMY OF ANCIENT CHINA
By Liane Hicks