WG1.3 Indus River Valley and Shang (China) Civilizations!

Indus River Valley Civilization: B.C. Location: The Indus River is in the western region of present-day India/Pakistan. The civilizations that emerged in the Indus River Valley, which extends from the Arabian Sea to the Himalayan Mountains, are called Harappa and Mojenjo-Daro. These two civilizations were named after their large cities; which were located 400 miles apart but are still together called the Indus civilizations. The Indus civilizations people were often called the Harappan people.

Society: Like the Egyptians and Mesopotamia civilizations, the Indus civilization was based largely on farming and trade. They used ox-carts and potter’s wheels and came up with methods to control flooding. They also used baked bricks, which were more durable than sun-dried bricks. Their rulers based their power on divine rule. Like in Egypt, religion was the way of life for this civilization.

Trade and industry: The Indus people built and planned elaborate cities. They developed early industries like pottery and copper goods. They also developed important trade networks with the peoples of Mesopotamia. These people had a system of writing that worked well for their trading and commerce. They used pictographic writing system, which today archeologist have not been able to translate.

The End: The Indus civilization is believed to have ended around 1700 B.C. because of drought, disease and invasions by the Aryan people. The invasions of the Aryan people, who came from the Hindu Kush mountains south into India, did not bring with them an advanced civilization. The invaders were nomadic warriors and they just caused massive amounts of violence. Over time the Harappan culture fused with that of the invaders.

Shang (China) B.C Location: One of the first civilizations was founded by the Xia dynasty around 4,000 years ago. Another very early Chinese civilization was founded by the Shang dynasty around 1700 B.C. They developed in Asia’s Hwang Ho river valley (also called the Yellow river valley), which is located in the northeastern region of Present-day China.

Society: Shang dynasty was based largely on farming and war. A dynasty is a line of rulers from the same family. Shang kings ruled with an aristocracy, a wealthy class whose power and money is passed on through generations. The Shang kings and warlords (military leaders) conquered neighboring peoples with powerful armies. The government developed a very complex and effective government bureaucracy, like the Egyptians. The Shang also developed and managed a sophisticated system of irrigation canals to help control the flooding of the Yellow river.

Industries and Crafts: The people in the cities were artisans, traders, and merchants. They were sophisticated in crafts and the production of weapons. The Shang also created iron tools and iron-tipped plows. The Shang are also known for their mastery of bronze casting. They would make weapons and ceremonial vessels for food and wine. Some objects would be small and others could weigh up to pound vessels.

Writing: The Shang developed a system of writing on bamboo and silk, most of which is no longer around due to decomposition. So most of their writing was found on their bronze and oracle bones. Oracle bones were used to predict the future and survived over the years. The writing they Shang developed is almost the same as what the Chinese are using now.

Religion: Like the Egyptians, early Chinese peoples, such as the Shang, believed in the afterlife. The Chinese believed in ancestor worship, which emphasizes the influence of deceased relatives on the living. The practice, essentially a family affair, is held in homes and temples and consists of prayers and offerings to their dead ancestors. The Shang believed that the dead could still have control over the living, so by giving offerings to dead family members they kept them happy and keeping them from harming the living.

The End: The Shang were conquered around 1100 B.C. by the Zhou.