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Ancient China: Early Settlement Through the Shang Dynasty. Mr. Korinek 7 th Grade Social Studies. Early Settlement. Archeologists believe that the first inhabitants of China lived in caves more than 500,000 years ago.
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Ancient China: Early Settlement Through the Shang Dynasty Mr. Korinek 7th Grade Social Studies
Early Settlement • Archeologists believe that the first inhabitants of China lived in caves more than 500,000 years ago. • Remains of these people, known as Peking Man, were found in the 1920s in the northeastern part of China. • They lived by hunting, gathering, and fishing. • They made tools and probably used fire.
The Agricultural revolution: China Edition • Early farmers in China settled mostly on the North China Plain. • They grew crops and lived in villages near the Huang He River. • The North China Plain had plenty of water, fertile soil, and a moderate climate. • In contrast, the Tibetan Plateau, and Northwestern Plain were to cold and dry. The Northwestern Deserts were also too dry. And the Chang Jiang Basins were wet and fertile, but heavy rains made farming difficult.
The Shang Dynasty • The dynasty ruled the area around the Huang He (Yellow River). • Ancient China was no one country, but a number of clans, or extended families, led by warrior kings. Rival clans often fought each other. • Occasionally, one clan became powerful enough to control all of ancient China and start a dynasty. • The Shang was one such clan
Shang Capital City • Shang capital city included a palace, a temple, and houses. It also had workships for artisans who worked with bronze , pottery stone and jade. • The Shang dynasty also performed human sacrifice as a part of burial rights for the king. Including slaves, servants, and animals.
Ancient China’s Isolation • China’s geography kept the early settlements in China isolated. • Surrounded by rocky plateaus, cold climates, and large deserts China remained isolated from the rest of the world.
Social Classes • Nobles • Craftspeople • Traders • Farmers • Slaves
Shang Religion • Centered around ancestor worship.
Writing under the Shang • Characters that stood for words
Technolgy • Bronze making skills, specifically for weapons.