For 100 years was considered a myth until archeological dig of 1928 in Anyang The ancient China was...

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SHANG DYNASTY For 100 years was considered a myth until archeological dig of 1928 in Anyang The ancient China was not one country but number of clans of extended families led by warriors. They fought until one clan became more powerful than the others.

Transcript of For 100 years was considered a myth until archeological dig of 1928 in Anyang The ancient China was...

Page 1: For 100 years was considered a myth until archeological dig of 1928 in Anyang The ancient China was not one country but number of clans of extended families.

SHANG DYNASTY

For 100 years was considered a myth until archeological dig of 1928 in Anyang

• The ancient China was not one country but number of clans of extended families led by warriors. They fought until one clan became more powerful than the others.

 

Page 2: For 100 years was considered a myth until archeological dig of 1928 in Anyang The ancient China was not one country but number of clans of extended families.

-GOVERNMENT

-Led by a Kind who controlled all land -to expand his power he set up

smaller kingdoms under his younger brothers and nephews

-lots of wars were fought to keep the power

-Bronze is copper and tin, was used to make Shang weapons (one of the 1st to use bronze)

Page 3: For 100 years was considered a myth until archeological dig of 1928 in Anyang The ancient China was not one country but number of clans of extended families.

SOCIAL CLASS

King and his relatives Nobles-owned land that farmers farmed-

hunted for wild animals (fox, badgers) Crafts people-made things out of bronze, jade,

potters, stonemasons Traders-the Shangs traded a lot. Used cowrie

shells as money (because they were valuable) Farmers-largest social class-farmed noble’s

and kings land-only kept a little for themselves Slaves-captured in wars-spent life building

tombs and palaces-when master died slaves sometimes sacrificed to serve master in afterlife.

Page 4: For 100 years was considered a myth until archeological dig of 1928 in Anyang The ancient China was not one country but number of clans of extended families.

RELIGION

-ancestor worship -Kings believed the dead ancestors

gave advice on when to hung, go to war, build new city.

-oracle bone-made from turtle shell or cow’s shoulder blade

-the way oracle bone worked- holy man asks question, presses a hot needle against back of bone, depending on the crack of the bone the holy man decodes the message. (do example with paper)

Page 5: For 100 years was considered a myth until archeological dig of 1928 in Anyang The ancient China was not one country but number of clans of extended families.

WRITING, ART AND TECHNOLOGY Writing -writing on oracle bones are

among the earliest known examples of Chinese writing

-logographs=Chinese characters=words

Art -jade=type of stone Technology -Because of Bronze the Shangs

remained in power for over 500 years. (Bronze weapons saved their butts)

Page 6: For 100 years was considered a myth until archeological dig of 1928 in Anyang The ancient China was not one country but number of clans of extended families.

THE END OF SHANG DYNASTY

No one knows exactly some say: -fighting many wars weakened the

military power of Shang -kings and nobles spent all their

money away -the king instead of looking after his

kingdom spent too much time on pleasurable activities.

-when the end of Shang Dynasty came and the Zhou was taking over, it is said that the king grabbed all his jewelry and threw himself into the fire.