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Development of early Chinese writing system Fact-Matching Game

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Summoning Knowledge...

About This Challenge

The development of early Chinese writing system was a crucial milestone in the history of human communication. To better understand this process, we have created a fact-matching game that allows players to piece together important information fragments.

  • Players will uncover key details about the evolution of Chinese writing system.
  • They will learn about the significance of oracle bones and bronze inscriptions in the development of early Chinese writing.
  • Players can use spells for hints and extra time to help them solve the puzzles.

Game Details: a fact-matching game where you piece together important information fragments. Use spells for hints and extra time!

Need a Hint? View the Facts
  • The earliest known form of written Chinese dates back to the Shang dynasty (c. 1600-1046 BC).
  • The Shang dynasty developed a script known as Oracle Bone Script, which was primarily used for divination purposes.
  • The Oracle Bone Script consisted of pictograms, which were drawings representing objects or ideas.
  • The Oracle Bone Script also included logograms, which were characters representing whole words.
  • During the Zhou dynasty (1046-256 BC), a standardized script called Seal Script emerged.
  • Seal Script was mainly used for inscriptions on seals and bronze objects.
  • Seal Script was characterized by its angular and square shapes.
  • The Qin dynasty (221-206 BC) introduced a script called Small Seal Script, which was more standardized and simplified.
  • Small Seal Script became the basis for the modern Chinese script.
  • During the Han dynasty (206 BC-220 AD), a script called Clerical Script became widely used for official documents.
  • Clerical Script featured more rounded and flowing strokes compared to Seal Script.
  • Regular Script, also known as Standard Script, developed during the Wei-Jin period (220-420 AD).
  • Regular Script became the dominant script for general writing and calligraphy.
  • During the Tang dynasty (618-907 AD), a simplified script called Cursive Script emerged.
  • Cursive Script featured highly abbreviated and connected strokes.
  • The Song dynasty (960-1279 AD) witnessed the development of a script called Running Script, which was even more cursive than Cursive Script.
  • Running Script was primarily used for informal writing and personal correspondence.
  • The Ming dynasty (1368-1644 AD) saw the revival and standardization of Regular Script as the official script of China.
  • In the 20th century, the Chinese government introduced Simplified Chinese characters to increase literacy rates.
  • Simplified Chinese characters are used in mainland China, while Traditional Chinese characters are still used in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.

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