Ancient China- The Shang Dynasty

Importance of Rivers

rivers agriculture populations cities specialization hierarchy

YELLOW RIVER YANGZI RIVER

Population Growth  Settlements began to grow along the Yellow River  Created a need for recognized authorities who could maintain order, resolve disputes, and organize public works projects

1700 B.C.E.  One of the settlements began to expand  A ruler from this settlement began the Shang Dynasty  The Shang Dynasty lasted about 600 years  This is the earliest dynasty we know of because of written records

Shang Government  Power was kept within the family  Organized groups of farmers  Produced large harvests  Allowed Shang to support many soldiers  Built a number of walled cities  Local ruler accepted the authority of the King  Controlled flooding along the Huang River by building dykes  Walls to hold back water

Writing  Earliest written records from China are oracle bones  Animal bones or turtles shells carved with words used to tell the future  Writing was done in pictographs  Many ancient characters became the writing Chinese people use today

Writing: Oracle Bones

Specialization  Bronze  Best known for  Jewelers  Jade workers  Embroiderers  Manufacturers of silk textiles Silkworm cocoon