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Shang Dynasty (1765-1112 BCE)
Shreya S.
Religion / Culture / Social Life
Religion, culture, and social life were vital to the ancient people of the Shang Dynasty. To the average person during 1765-1112 BCE, family was a big part of their life. In fact, it was so important that rulers were chosen because of their family and their hereditary backgrounds. In a typical ancient Chinese household during the Shang Dynasty, the oldest male was the head of the household. Like most ancient cultures, a woman had to be gentle, calm, obedient, and respectful. Since family was crucial to the Shang people, if individuals in the family did something wrong, the whole family was a disgrace.
The Shang religion was a combination of animism ("the belief that all animals, plants, and objects have spirits-Merriam Webster) and ancestral worship. Different gods represented different natural and mythical symbols. Such as, the sun, moon, wind, rain, dragon, and phoenix. Peasants prayed to these gods for plentiful harvests. Festivals to celebrate these gods were also frequent during this time. The Shang believed that ancestors could bring them a good fortune so, they would consult them through oracle bones to seek their approval for decisions, and learn about their future success.
The Shang enjoyed different works of art very much. During the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties, they had invented many kinds of chimes and bells. In addition to music, the Shang also enjoyed making different sculptures using Bronze. Since the Shang dynasty was the first Chinese dynasty, most of the "literature" that can be found is pictographs on oracle bones. Other types of "literature" that have been found by archeologists are scarce inscriptions on bronze ritual vessels.
This is an array of different chimes and bells during the Shang Dynasty.
This is a depiction of Shangdi (the supreme god).
This is an example of how the Shang utilized Bronze to make art.
Inventions / Technology / Science & Architecture
Since the Shang dynasty took place a long time ago, not much is known about specific buildings and structures that they may have had. However, historians do know that in the ancient cities, people lived in rows of rectangular houses, built from wood and compacted mud. In the center of the town, historians predict that there was a temple or palace on a raised platform like a hill.
During the Shang dynasty, many inventions were made. Some of which we still use today. Some inventions include chopsticks, the use of Bronze, human sacrifice, ancestor worship, musical instruments, pottery/ ceramics, weapons, oracle bone inscriptions, Chinese script, the use of jade, and the Chinese calendar. The Shang invented a writing system that consisted of over 3000 characters and symbols. Since the period of the Shang Dynasty is often referred to as "The Bronze Age", perhaps the most important technology was Bronze casting. The Shang made many objects out of Bronze including ceremonial tools and swords and spearheads for the military. The Shang also learned how to create chariots and domesticate horses. This gave them a significant advantage in their military.
This is a Bronze dagger that is from 16th-11th century BCE. China.
This is a dagger with a Jade blade and a Bronze base.
This is what a village during the Shang Dynasty may have looked like.
Economics
During early times of the Shang Dynasty, the invention of farming was developed. This lead to a surplus of food which lead to specialized jobs. Most people were still farmers. But there were also potters, metal workers, sculptors, soldiers, etc.
Since technologies that would have been used to travel from place to place were not available at the time, the Shang mostly traded within China. The most common trading area was the market where commoners would barter or use cowry shells (the Shang currency)
There were many important items during the Shang Dynasty. One item was Bronze. Bronze was used for everything from weapons to vessels for putting wine in. Another important item during the Shang period was Oracle Bones. Oracle Bones were pieces of turtle shell or bone used to help people seek approval from deceased ancestors.
This is an example of what a turtle shell oracle bone may look like.
This is another interesting example of how the Shang utilized Bronze to make a variety of different products.
These cowry shells were the Shang Dynasty's main currency.
Polotics
Since the Shang Dynasty occurred a very long time ago, we don't know much about the particular rulers all throughout the dynasty. However, we do know that the first emperor of the Shang Dynasty was Tang the Successful. Legend says he defeated an evil king who did not care about the people or do anything to improve their lives of poverty. (MCPS - Chinese Dynasty Cycle Packet)
The emperors of the Shang Dynasty were able to expand the China a lot. One way they did this was by having excellent military resources. They had fierce warriors. And great tools such as Bronze weapons, Bronze chariots, and domesticated horses to ride.
Since all good things must come to an end, the Shang Dynasty came to an end during about 1112 BCE. It ended because Shang leaders were to focused on being religious by offering sacrifices and performing rituals and not focused enough on strengthening China. The dynasty ended when the Shang Dynasty became corrupt and many unhappy people including the future dynasty (Zhou) rebelled against them and took control.
This is a depiction of what the first ruler (Tang the Successful) of the Shang Dynasty looked like.