Shang Dynasty

The Shang Dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BCE) is the earliest Chinese dynasty supported by both archaeological evidence and written records. Centered in the Yellow River valley, the Shang developed a sophisticated civilization built on bronze metallurgy, ancestor worship, and a writing system that evolved directly into modern Chinese characters.

Shang society was organized around a divine king who communicated with ancestors through oracle bone divination — the practice of inscribing questions on turtle shells or ox bones, applying heat until they cracked, and interpreting the patterns. These oracle bones are not just religious artifacts; they are China's earliest written records, providing invaluable information about Shang politics, warfare, agriculture, and ritual life.

The Shang's bronze-casting technology was unmatched in the ancient world. Elaborate ritual vessels — used in ceremonies honoring ancestors — demonstrate both technical mastery and the central role of ancestor worship in Shang culture. The dynasty ended when the Zhou conquered it around 1046 BCE, but Shang cultural innovations persisted for millennia.