Do Now What do you think the Chinese scholar found? In 1899 a Chinese scholar became ill and asked his doctor for help. He was given a packet of animal bones that, when ground up would make popular medicine. When the scholar looked closely at the bones, he noticed that they were covered with mysterious ancient writing. He became determined to find out where the bones came from and what they meant. Later the scholar led archeologists to a site along the Huang River. What they found would change history books about ancient China. What do you think the Chinese scholar found? How would this discovery forever change history books about China? Why is writing so important to a civilization?

Huang River Review Huang River North China Plain Ordos Dessert Plateau of Tibet Yellow Sea Himalaya Mts. Chang River India

Shang Dynasty Rule China for 600 Years

Religion in the Shang Dynasty Polytheistic Believed gods controlled nature Ancestors Lived in another world Controlled human life

Oracle Bones Write question on the bone. Heat bone over fire until it cracks Oracles read cracks to predict the future

A Written Record Wrote on bamboo, silk, bronze pots and stone

Were given new towns by Kings Oversaw construction of new towns Shang Society Social Pyramid King Nobles Were given new towns by Kings Oversaw construction of new towns Craftworkers Farmers Prisoners of War

Anyang Many huts and workshops found Remains of palace at city center Bronze cups, stone carvings, and magnificent chariots found in nearby royal tombs

Anyang

Lady Fu Hao’s Tomb

Lady Fu Hao’s Tomb Hundreds of bronze containers, ivory statues and other valuable objects Show how rich Shang rulers were Lady Fu Hao  led troops to war and ruled her town