The Met dates the Qin dynasty to 221–206 BCE.
Chronological context#
Its account describes commanderies and prefectures, standardization of writing, currency and measurements, and extensions of roads and canals.
A reading exercise#
Distinguish the earlier Qin state from the imperial dynasty. Ask whether a claim concerns a policy, an excavated object or a later historical account; they are different kinds of evidence.
Using the dates#
The exercise is editorial guidance for evaluating evidence. Retain the named reference and its dating convention when comparing another account; this short introduction is not an exhaustive political history.