Chapter 5 Section 2: The Huang Ho Valley

Ancient Civilizations

The Huang Ho Valley

•About 2000 BC, this civilization started in China.

•Much of what we know, comes from legends.

•Settled here because of fertile soil

•Lived in clay houses

Cities of the Shang Dynasty•A dynasty is a ruling family.•The first records come from

the Shang dynasty. (1766 BC)

•The rich lived in the cities and the poor in the country.

•Farmers produced silk, which was used to make clothes for the rich.

Shang Religion

•They worshipped spirits and ancestors.

•They offered food, wine, and prayers to their ancestors in hope for good fortune.

•Family was very important and there were rules on how to act.

Shang Kings•The Shang believed kings

received power from their ancestors.

•Kings would ask questions through oracle bones. (Pg 90)

•Nobles were below kings, spent most of their time hunting to prepare for war.

•Nobles rode horse-drawn

bronze chariots.•They used sharp arrows and

wore helmets.•Poor farmers marched

behind them as soldiers.

Decline of the Shang•There was a strong divide

between the rich and the poor.•This weakened the civilization.• In 1122 BC, the Zhou invaded

and defeated the Shang.•The Shang left behind great

works of bronze art.•Art experts consider their

artwork the best in the world.