Shang Dynasty

Shang Dynasty Julia Kosanovic, Chad Davis, John-Nicholas Furst, Jacob Mutschler,

About the Shang Dynasty • Considered first true dynasty • Originally considered to be a myth • Discovered by tracing “Dragon Bones” to a Shang Capital • 30 Kings • 7 Capitals • 17th – 11th Century, B.C.

Yin •Last and most famous capital

Writing • Invention of writing • First written records • Most writings were on oracle bones used for divination • The bones used for this purpose originally came from a number of animals, later turtle shells were used • Question>Fired>Interpreted>Recorded • After the predicted event occurred, the date of the occurrence was written on the bone • Writing is also found on bronze and stone, but the majority of the records have decayed because they were recorded on bamboo strips • They also may have written on silk

Oracle Bones

Shang Ruler • • • • • •

The Shang Dynasty was important and was the second slave dynasty in Chinese history The Shang worshipped the “Shang Ti” The Shang king had considerable power over his subjects When the king died, hundreds of prisoners were often sacrificed and buried with him Stamped earth walls were made by pounding thin layers of earth within a movable wooden frame This god ruled as the supreme god over the lesser gods: the sun, the moon, the wind and other natural forces and places

Society • • • • • • • • •

In the centre of the Shang capitals resided the ruler’s palace Houses that surrounded this central location were rectangular They were constructed using post and beams that were built on stamped earth platforms Subterranean pit-houses that were used for storage were built near the capital The Shang people used bronze to construct various armor and weapons such as bronze weapons, bronze fittings for chariots and harnesses, and bronze vessels connected with worship. Other simple vessels were made out of earthenware (different from today’s earthenware. If it had been glazed a certain way, it would have been porcelain) The Shang favored hoes over plows which were more commonly made of stone or wood. Grew grains such as millet and some wheat that were harvested with sickles. Their descent, rather than passing from father to son, involved passing from oldest brother to youngest

Quiz • What was the famous Shang dynasty capital city called? • Who did they worship? • What was the most important technological development? • Who was sacrificed when the king died?