Shang Dynasty 1750-1050 BCE

1. Shang Dynasty 1750-1050 BCE Chinese civilization is one of oldest, continuous on earth 5,000 years of history China has existed as strong entity. Each period has produced great achievements in art, philosophy, technology and science.China has existed as strong entity. Each period has produced great achievements in art, philosophy, technology and science.

2. 1750 BCE H. Code of laws-Mesopotamia 1600-1200BCE Mycenaean civ. Emerged 1600-1000 BCE Vedic period 1500 BCE Stonehenge 1500 BCE Moses led Issraelites out of Egypt 1352 BEC King Tut died 1182-1151 BCE Ramesses II Pharaoh of Egypt1750 BCE H. Code of laws-Mesopotamia 1600-1200BCE Mycenaean civ. Emerged 1600-1000 BCE Vedic period 1500 BCE Stonehenge 1500 BCE Moses led Issraelites out of Egypt 1352 BEC King Tut died 1182-1151 BCE Ramesses II Pharaoh of Egypt

3. Neolithic settlements in Yangtze & Yellow river valleys Yangshao-painted pottery Longshan-black pottery 5th millennium BCE Yangshao pots are coiled or molded Longshan pottery made on a wheel5th millennium BCE Yangshao pots are coiled or molded Longshan pottery made on a wheel

4. Shang Dynasty c.1750-1050 BCE Impressive bronze technology Oracle bones�beginning of writing system

5. Important elements from Shang Notion of supreme heavenly power�Shangdi (god above) Belief in power of spirits or ancestors to affect events on earth Importance of rituals venerating ancestors & role of king in performing rituals

6. Shang was agricultural society Therefore rituals Therefore ancestor reverence Therefore bronzes & oracle bones

7. Shang culture characterized by: Centralized government Urban communities Stratified social classes Palatial architecture Distinctive writing system Elaborate religious rituals Sophisticated art forms Bronze metallurgy Horse drawn chariot Ability to mobilize human labor for huge projects Relatively accurate calendar Money in form of cowrie shells Pantheon of gods Complex lineage structure

8. Shang musical instruments Drums Bells Chiming stones ocarinas

9. �Auspicious Bronzes of the State� 9 ding representing 9 provinces King Yu of the Xia cast after bringing floods under control Dings passed to Shang & later to Zhou Possession was symbol of power & prestiege http://depts.washington.edu/chinaciv/index.htm http://www.smcm.edu/academics/aldiv/art/webcourses/arth100/monumentality/shang/shhome.html

10. Shang economic features Tamed water buffalo Cultivated rice Rice innovation from South North is grain basedRice innovation from South North is grain based

11. Leaders addicted to: Warfare Hunting Wine Human & animal sacrifice

12. Leaders engaged in military expeditions Plunder & tribute part of royal economy New weapons part of passion for hunting Hunting good practice for warfare Kings maintained huge hunting ground; bones of elephants, rhinos, bears, tigers, leopards, deer, monkeys, foxsd, badgers. Hunting practice in using weapons and moving large groups of men Kings maintained huge hunting ground; bones of elephants, rhinos, bears, tigers, leopards, deer, monkeys, foxsd, badgers. Hunting practice in using weapons and moving large groups of men

13. Ancestor reverence Ultimate source of political power was royal ancestors Deceased ministers had some influence Dead went to Heaven Intercede on behalf of descendants So ritual life of Shang court was sequence of sacrifices to ancestors Lord on High, Shangdi, presided over heavenLord on High, Shangdi, presided over heaven

14. Divination Important actions required divination Tortoise shell or animal shoulder blade Questions about warfare, weather, life decisions http://www.chinavista.com/experience/oracle/oracle.html See documents in Ebrey p. 3See documents in Ebrey p. 3