1. Shang Dynasty of Ancient China
Jade Buffalo from the Shang Dynasty

2. first to leave behind written records and archeological evidence
a monarchy, governed by a series of ruthless kings
legend says that it was founded around 1600 B.C. by a man named Cheng Tang, who overthrew the evil king of Xia (people argue whether Xia really existed)
Cheng Tang established the first capital called Shang, but later kings moved the capital many times
the dynasty was centered around villages near the Yellow River
archeologists have found tombs of kings and their families

3. the Shang kings were constantly at war and sent out armies of as many as 13,000 men to fight
the soldiers brought back prisoners of war who became laborers or were sacrificed for rituals
they also helped gain new territories and bring back resources from other areas
worshiped the Shang Di, who was the supreme god that ruled over the sun, moon, wind, rain, and other natural forces
they also worshiped their ancestors and believed that although they were in heaven, they still were involved in family matters

4. kings asked questions to the gods and their ancestors using oracle bones:
* scribes would carve questions for the gods or the
king’s ancestors into an animal bone
* intense heat was then applied until it cracked
* an “interpreter” would read the cracks and the
scribe would carve the answer
believed that if they didn’t worship the gods and their ancestors appropriately, disaster would come
high-ranking people like the king were buried with the remains of relatives or lower-ranking people so that their relationships would continue in heaven

5. lower-ranking people were buried in pits, which sizes depended on their status
the lowest-ranking people were sometimes thrown down wells
oracle bone inscriptions are the earliest known form of Chinese writing and are the only written history from the Shang era
social classes:
King and Royal Family
Nobles Priests
Artisans Merchants
Peasants

6. bronze was used for weapons, which gave them the advantage in battles
existed during China’s Bronze Age, which represented power, wealth, and luxury
bronze was used for weapons, which gave them the advantage in battles
it was also used for ceremonial vessels for food and wine
the Shang Dynasty was overthrown
around 1050 B.C. from Zhou invaders,
who claimed that the Shang king was
evil and that heaven no longer
wanted him to rule
wine cup