Shang Dynasty
Ancient China
Summary
Zoe Volmer- Anthropologist
Historian-Jack Benjamin
The Shang Dynasty’s supposed beginning was in the range of the mid-18th to the mid-16th century B.C.E. The Shang Dynasty had a social pyramid like the food pyramid but with the social order that lists the classes of the people in the Dynasty. The social pyramid was used in many Empires, Dynasties, and Republics that were in ancient times. During burials the social pyramid was used in how people were buried. The Shang had some of the workers who helped build the tombs buried alive with the dead royalty. The lowest and lesser classes weren’t buried in a nice way because the lesser class was buried in pits while the lowest class was thrown down wells.
The Shang Dynasty’s main history was in the Bronze Age so their weaponry was made of bronze like their axes and chariots which they used in battle. The most important leader in the Shang Dynasty was the king, Wuwang was an important king in the Shang Dynasty and was the first king of the Zhou Dynasty.
Oracle Bones
These are examples of the oracle bones mentioned in the archaeologist and anthropologist's articles.
Bronze vase
This is an example of a bronze vase made during the Shang Dynasty.
Bronze Vessel
This is an example of an early Bronze Chinese vessel.