Ancient ChinaThe First Dynasty

The Big Picture By about 1700 B.C., one kingdom

had won control of the Huang River. Its earliest capital was called Shang. The government became known as

the Shang Dynasty. They would rule the region for the

next 600 years and bring many new advancements to China.

Towns Along the Huang River As the Shang Dynasty’s power grew, they began

creating new towns along the Huang River. The Shang kings would create these towns by

giving land to their family members, or nobles. These nobles would then oversee the construction of the new towns and rule over them.

Each town provided: food, clothing, and other products for the king and nobles. The townspeople were also part-time soldiers for protection.

An Ancient City Near the end of the Shang Dynasty, the capital

was moved to the city of Anyang. Society here was organized like a pyramid.

Kings were at the top. Nobles were below them, and then...craftsworkers… and farmers.

Prisoners-of-War were at the very bottom Huts were discovered to have been homes and

workshops for metal-workers, potters, and servants.

Also found were bronze cups, stone carvings and chariots.

Buried Treasures A royal tomb at Anyang contained many

important artifacts, such as: Hundreds of bronze containers, ivory

statues, and other valuable objects. They are believed to have been from a king’s

wife, Fu Hao. Lady Hao led a very successful life. She led

troops to war, ruled her own town, and was remembered in history.

A Written Record A system of writing existed

in Ancient China that developed over time.

It began as pictures of objects, and evolved into symbols.

Many records were written on bamboo or silk as scrolls.

More writing was discovered on thousands of “dragon bones” from cattle or sheep. They became known as oracle bones.

Priests were believed to be able to interpret cracks in the bones and read the future.

Religion of the Shang The Shang believed that their

ancestors lived in another world and controlled human life.

They were also polytheistic or believed in many different gods They believe when they died they

would join their ancestors and gods.