The Shang Dynasty

Goal: Describe the government, social structure, religion, writing, art, and technology of the Shang Dynasty Brief Explanation: Write a brief explanation in the form of a paragraph about archeologists and historians believe about the Shang. Archeologists and historians believed that The Shangs were just a myth. There has been a rumor about mysterious markings on animal bones, and that the Shang were the first to write. But there wasn't any solid archeological evidence. But in the 1920's and 1899, there were discoveries of Shang oracle bones and a whole entire Shang city.

Characteristic: After reading the section in your textbook, draw a brief sketch or historical document that makes you think it is a match to the characteristic of civilization.

Important Facts, Evidence, and Explanation: Write a short explanation as to why you believe your choice of artifact or historical document shows a characteristic of civilization.

Technology

I chose the bronze shield because this helped the shang make bronze weapons and armor. This was a great technology because it helped the Shang protect their land from enemies. Farmers grew crops such as wheat, barley, rice, fruit, vegetables, and nuts. Farmers did not own land that they were farming on. The land was under control by nobles or the king Farmers were not able to keep most of their crops they could only have enough to feed there families. Farmers might have raised pigs, cattle and chickens.

Staple Food (Dried Jujubes)

Art (Jade Ring)

The Shang believed that qualities of jade represented qualities of a superior person.

I drew these to show that the Shang used characters and logographs in writing. There was a written language also that varied from place to place.

Writing
I chose this because the Shang divided their empire into smaller kingdoms. They gave power to their sons and nephews also when a king dies. I chose this because the religion of the Shang was based on ancestor worship. The Shang believed in life after death. Like the Egyptians they believed that ancestors that are dead had the power to help the living people or harm living people. They also used oracle bones. The king gave nobles Jade to symbolize their power. Craft people and bronze workers included Jade, and Potters Stone Masons as well. Traders traded goods extensively. Coterie shells are a type of money. Salves spent their lives building palaces and tombs, and they were sacrificed sometimes when there master's died.

Government

Religion

Social Structure

Directions: Use your question helpers and write a brief question about the Shang Dynasty below: Explain what you think about the Shang Dynasty.