Ancient Chinese historiography

Ancient Chinese historiography is the studied practice of recording and interpreting history in China, emphasizing thoroughness, moral lessons, and continuity. It dates back thousands of years, exemplified by works like the *Records of the Grand Historian* by Sima Qian, which combines chronological events, biographies, and cultural insights. Chinese historiography often blends factual accounts with moral evaluations, aiming to instruct and guide societal virtues. It developed sophisticated methods for source collection, verification, and narrative crafting, shaping China’s historical identity and influencing historiography globally.