Changes

During the Shang Dyansty (1600-1000 BCE), researchers have stated the climate became generally warmer. Warmer conditions lasted until about 350 CEHowever, covering nearly eight dynasties there were periodic cooling and ending likely drier conditions in eastern China. At around 1100 BC, the Six Dynasties periodShang became weaker as they had to deal with more harvest failures. During warmer periodsHowever, citrusthe Shang could have adapted to this and may have withstood such change. Rather, such as orangesthe Zhou, who conquered the Shang and who lived west of the Shang, may have made invaded as they felt their way societies faced greater threats due to China cooling conditions. In effect, the invasion and began bellicose nature of the Zhou could be attributed to changing conditions that led to be incorporated into dietsmore difficult harvests for them. After 350 CEThe concept of the Mandate of Heaven, which formulated that a Chinese dynasty should maintain order in the world, including natural order, much colder may have developed as a way to legitimise rulers. It could also be used to blame rulers as climate conditions became evident in northern China, with much harsher wintersmore difficult. This may could have led happened as the Zhou justified their rule due to the development failings of ice houses for the first timeShang, as conditions became more difficult. After the cooling at around 1100, which allowed better preservation of food over climate likely returned to more favourable conditions and the Zhou may have become the winter periodslong-lived dynasty in Chinese history in part due to more favourable conditions.

Nevertheless, warmer conditions lasted until about 350 CE, covering nearly eight dynasties and ending around the Six Dynasties period. During warmer periods, citrus, such as oranges, may have made their way to China and began to be incorporated into diets. Subtropical herbs and spices were also likely introduced in period when warmer conditions prevailed, as these plants were more easily grown in northern regions that allowed the major centres of China, such as Chang'an in the Han Dynasty. After 350 CE, much colder conditions became evident in northern China, with much harsher winters. This may have led to the development of ice houses for the first time, which allowed better preservation of food over the winter periods. This also likely led tastes in food to change back away from the subtropical foods that could have been grown in other parts of China. However, over the last two thousand years, as climate has become drier and colder in parts of eastern China, there has been greater evidence that this has led to more periodic locust, famine, and drought occurrences. This There has also led to been higher incidents of epidemicswhen flood conditions become evident, where drought presumably as bacteria thrive better in warmer and famine created better moister conditions for epidemics as the population became weaker to resist such incidents.