Download Indus River Valley and Shang (China) Civilizations!

Indus River Valley and Shang
(China) Civilizations!
WG1.3
Indus River Valley Civilization: 3000-1500 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) 1700-200 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 2000pound 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.