Download Shang Dynasty cerca 1500

Shang Dynasty cerca 1500-1040 BC
 Considered to be the first “true” dynasty, also
thought to be a myth
 Shang Dynasty had 30 kings and 7 different capitals
 Actually, the next Dynasty called the Zhou is
responsible for recording most Shang info
 Shang used bronze (cerca 1800 bc) but earthenware
(porcelain) for more common things. Metals were scarce
in China. Bronze crafts were really advanced…delicate
musical instruments and drums and copper symbols were
made.
 They were the first Chinese people to invent a
wtriting
 system.
 This writing was found on oracle bones and turtle
shells (divination)
 Writing was also on bamboo, bronze, stone, and maybe
silk
 Shang worshipped SHANG TI, an allpowerful god who
ruled the world, and other gods of the sun, moon,
wind, and rain etc. Rituals and ancestor worship
characterized Shang religion.
 When a king dies, hundreds of slaves or prisoners were
killed and buried with him. This kind of slaughter
also happened at big event, like the founding of a
temple.
 freshwater fishing industry was big.
 art industry was bigger, a lot of different crafts
were made.
 ceramic pots used for rituals during sacrifices, to
store water, wine, water for the deceased in afterlife
 a Shang tomb for Queen Fu Hao had lots of bronze and
jade pots, some would show patterns of sytylized
flowers, clouds, and dragons. Some would show faces of
vicous animals.
 Bronze was used intricately designed for ceremonies and stuff andbecame an art
form! The first two are wine vesslels and the last is an axe blade.