shang dynasty (the bronze age)

What continent is China located on?Name the two major rivers.What isolated China from the rest of the world?

It was the first dynasty Established by the 1500’s BC Lasted 700 years 30 different kings ruled during this

dynasty Strongest in the Huang He Valley Ruled a broad area of Northern China They moved their capital numerous times

to avoid floods or attacks by their enemy Known for human sacrifices

Had protective walls that were 30 ft high, 65 ft thick and 4 miles long

Inside the walls lived the Royal Family, priests and warriors

Artisans lived outsidethe walls in mud housesthat were built up against the wall Farmers lived in villages outside the walls

Shang had an organized social order

1. Royal Family, Nobles and Warriors

2. Artisans 3. Farmers 4. Slaves

The King-Was at the center of Shang political and religious life

Lived in large homes made ofMud and wood Hunting was a favorite past-time

Nobles- job was to advise the king, they owned a lot of land that they passed down to their Sons Lived in large, brick homes with tiled roofs Homes were lavishly decorated and furnished

Warriors-fought for the dynasty Wore bronze armor Used chariots made of bronze and wood Each chariot had a driver, spearman and an archer Carried daggers, spears, and axes

Lived in groups outside the city walls

Made weapons, pottery, tools, clothing

Most people were farmers Worked long hours and had little

money Most of the money they made had to

be paid to the government in taxes They didn’t own the land Had to give the nobles part of the food

they grew

Lowest rank They were an important source of labor

Came up with China’s first writing system-a lot of the

symbols used today in Chinese language come from those made during the Shang Dynasty

Priests carve questions about the future on bones They put the bones over a fire and

the bones crack The priests thought they could

“read” the cracks to predict the future

Beautiful bronze containers for cooking and religious

ceremonies Axes Knives Ornaments from jade War chariots Bow Bronze body armor Calendar based on the cycle of the moon

Ancestor Worship-worshiping and praying to family members who are deceased

Offer gifts, such as meat or wine to ancestors to show respect

If you didn’t offer gifts, natural disaster would occur

Would often build temples for ancestors Inside the home their was and altar to

pray to their ancestors