Middle Ages
Foguang Temple (857): China's Surviving Tang Wooden Hall
The East Hall survived more than eleven centuries and, after its identification in 1937, became the key evidence for Tang dynasty timber architecture.
Region
Asia
Middle Ages
Diamond Sutra of 868: The World's Oldest Dated Printed Book
The scroll survived in a sealed cave for about 900 years and is now recognised as the earliest complete printed book bearing a date.
Middle Ages
Huang Chao Rebellion (875-884): The Revolt That Doomed the Tang
The rebellion was crushed in 884, but it devastated the Tang heartland and left power in the hands of regional warlords, leading to the dynasty's end in 907.
Middle Ages
Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms: China Divided (907-979)
China was divided among rival regimes until the Song dynasty, founded in 960, conquered or absorbed the last independent states by 979.
Middle Ages
Goryeo Dynasty (918): Wang Geon Founds the Kingdom of Korea
Wang Geon overthrew Gung Ye and founded Goryeo, which absorbed Silla and destroyed Later Baekje to reunify the peninsula by 936 and lasted until 1392.
Middle Ages
Ibn Fadlan's Journey to the Volga (921): Meeting the Rus
The embassy reached the Volga Bulgar ruler in May 922; Ibn Fadlan's report became one of the most important written sources on the peoples of the steppe and the Rus.
Middle Ages
Battle of Bach Dang (938): Ngo Quyen Ends Chinese Rule
Decisive Vietnamese victory; the Southern Han invasion failed and Ngo Quyen founded an independent Vietnamese kingdom in 939.
Middle Ages
Battle of Takkolam (949): Rashtrakutas Defeat the Cholas
Rashtrakuta victory; the Chola crown prince Rajaditya was killed and the Rashtrakutas occupied the northern Chola lands for about two decades.
Middle Ages
Khajuraho Temples: Chandela Art and Architecture
The Chandelas created a group of Hindu and Jain temples, about 25 of which survive, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Middle Ages
Song Dynasty (960-1279): Commerce, Science and Culture in China
The Song reunified China proper by 979 and presided over an economic and cultural flowering before losing the north to the Jurchens in 1127 and the south to the Mongols in 1279.
Middle Ages
Brihadisvara Temple: Rajaraja Chola I's Great Temple at Thanjavur
Rajaraja I completed the largest temple in India of its time, a symbol of Chola imperial power that is still in worship and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Middle Ages
Jingdezhen (1004): How China's Porcelain Capital Got Its Name
The kiln town took the name of the Jingde reign and grew into the leading centre of Chinese porcelain, home to the imperial kilns from the Ming dynasty onwards.