Shang civilization

Shang civilization, for student's use only.

by: Cheska Peralta

1. Ancient China

2. G-R-E-S-A-S-A-W As we continue with our discussion, identify GRESASAW for this civilization . Write them down on your notebook.

3. What is so unique about the Chinese civilization? Answer: 5,000 years of continuing history The Chinese civilization is one of the oldest and continuous civilizations on earth.

4. What was the oldest civilization in China?

5. From what river did the Shang Civilization emerged?

6. The Shang Civilization happened in the Huang Ho Valley Yellow River Originates from western China and flows through 9 provinces It is 4,640 kilometres long Loess-yellow soil that served as fertilizer To capture the loess, the people started to plant vegetation that can control the waters that rose and created dikes.

7. Were there small villages along the Huang Ho River even earlier than Shang civilization?

8. During the Neolithic Period... Yangshao culture existed around 5000 to 1500 B.C.E. Longshan culture existed around 3000 to 2000 B.C.E.

9. Yangshao Culture Farming and agriculture, hunting and fishing Nomadic Houses called dug-pits were arranged in a circle Painted Pottery Culture – red and black geometrical designs, human facial and animal designs Pottery were coiled or molded Produced silk, cloth weaving

10. Longshan or Lungshan Culture Similar to Yangshao except they are not nomadic Bigger dug-pit houses Invention of the potter’s wheel led to better pottery, thinner, goblets with handles Pottery were baked in kiln Black Pottery Culture

11. Shang Civilization High earthen walls Palace and temple are at the center surrounded by public buildings and house of government officials-inner zone Artisans, farmers and other citizens lived in the outer zone Ruled by priest-kings Led armies with chariots and bronze weaponry

12. Xia or Hsia Dynasty Known to be the first dynasty in China (2070-1600 B.C.E.) However, this is still under debate due to lack of evidence Ruled for about 400 years Yangcheng -capital city

13. Shang or Yin Dynasty Succeeded the Xia dynasty (1600-1046 B.C.E.) Ruled for about 600 years Anyang-capital city Evidence of bronze-ware and human sacrifice were found in excavated tombs of emperors Shang Zhou , the last Shang king, committed suicide after his army was defeated by the Zhou people. Legends say that his army and his equipped slaves betrayed him by joining the Zhou rebels .

14. Zhou Dynasty Succeeded the Shang dynasty (1046-256 B.C.E.) Ruled for about 800 years Haojing -capital city King Wu – first emperor Iron was introduced during this period Bronze-ware was at its peak as well

15. Pyro-osteomancy Oracle bones Bones were used to communicate with dead ancestors, fortune telling A question was written on an animal bone and thrown into a fire The cracks on the bones are interpreted by priest-kings Ancestral worship-wisdom and guidance

16. Manner of Writing System of writing symbols, early form of calligraphy Found on oracle bones Written in vertical order Certain characters were memorized by people especially the aristocrats These characters symbolized things, ideas or sounds It unified China

17. What are the other legacies/contributions of Shang civilization to the world ? Ability to mobilize human labor for huge projects ( Corvee labor) Relatively accurate calendar Cowrie shells for money Pantheon of gods Musical instruments like drums, bells and chiming stones Horse-drawn chariots

18. 1) What contributions from the Shang civilization can you remember? 2) How are they important during our times now?