1. Seljuk armies take over parts of Asia, Byzantine lands
2. Eastern and Western Christian churches split
3. Norman armies conquer England
4. Armed pilgrims recapture the Holy Land
5. Toltec empire continues to flourish
6. Cities in Africa and Europe grow
7. Commerce across the Sahara in Africa thrives
8. Chinese culture flowers under the Song dynasty
9. Ghana Empire in turmoil

8. Chinese culture flowers under the Song dynasty

Under the Song dynasty, which has ruled China since 960, culture has flourished as more people have learned to read and write. In the field of art, the Chinese have recently created many beautiful hard-glazed porcelains and magnificent landscape paintings. In agriculture, increased rice production has supported a rapidly growing population.

View from Today