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The '''Shang dynasty''' was an era of Chinese history that began in 1600 BC and continued until 1046 BC.<ref>These dates are from the [http://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/handle/10125/17161 Xia-Shang-Zhou Chronology Project] (2001). Liu Xin gives 1766–1122 BC, the ''Bamboo Annals'' gives 1556–1046 BC, and ''Cambridge History of Ancient China'' (1999) gives 1570 –1045 BC.</ref> It was preceded by the [[Xia dynasty]] and followed by the [[Zhou dynasty]]. The Shang was China's Bronze Age. Shang casting technique was the finest in the world, and many highly decorated vessels have survived.<ref name=McCurleyShang>McCurley, Dallas L., ”Shang”, ''Encyclopedia of Modern Asia'' (2002).</ref> The establishment of a permanent capital at Anyang in 1300 BC can be viewed as the founding of the first Chinese state. A large foundry has been unearthed at Miaopubei near Anyang.<ref name="McCurleyShang" />

The '''Shang dynasty''' was an era of Chinese history that began in 1600 BC and continued until 1046 BC.<ref>These dates are from the [http://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/handle/10125/17161 Xia-Shang-Zhou Chronology Project] (2001). Liu Xin gives 1766–1122 BC, the ''Bamboo Annals'' gives 1556–1046 BC, and ''Cambridge History of Ancient China'' (1999) gives 1570 –1045 BC.</ref> It was preceded by the [[Xia dynasty]] and followed by the [[Zhou dynasty]]. The Shang was China's Bronze Age. Shang casting technique was the finest in the world, and many highly decorated vessels have survived.<ref name=McCurleyShang>McCurley, Dallas L., ”Shang”, ''Encyclopedia of Modern Asia'' (2002).</ref> The establishment of a permanent capital at Anyang in 1300 BC can be viewed as the founding of the first Chinese state. A large foundry has been unearthed at Miaopubei near Anyang.<ref name="McCurleyShang" />

Chinese writing first appeared in this period. These were pictographs on bones, shells, and later in bronze. The Shang was the first dynasty to use chariots. Over 500 sites have been classified as culturally Shang, although not necessarily politically. These sites are located, not only in Shang heartland in the central portion of the Yellow River, but all across northern and eastern China.<ref name="McCurleyShang" /> The Shang religion was a form of shamanism, with divinations made by the king.

Chinese writing first appeared in this period. Pictographs were written on bones, shells, and later in bronze. The Shang was the first dynasty to use chariots. Over 500 sites have been classified as culturally Shang, although not necessarily politically. These sites are located, not only in Shang heartland in the central portion of the Yellow River, but all across northern and eastern China.<ref name="McCurleyShang" /> The Shang religion was a form of shamanism, with divinations made by the king.

{{History of China}}

{{History of China}}

==Early Shang==

==Early Shang==

===Writing===

===Writing===

About 200,000 oracle bone inscriptions have found. The earliest date from about 1200 BC. The characters used are pictograms. They are often primitive versions of characters still used to write Chinese in modern times. The inscriptions are almost all proposed divinations. They address the gods concerning matters of the immediate practical significance. No Shang literature survives.<ref name="McCurleyShang" />

About 200,000 oracle bone inscriptions have been found. The earliest date from about 1200 BC. The characters used are generally pictographs. They are often primitive versions of characters that are still used to write Chinese in modern times. Almost all of the inscriptions are proposed divinations. They address the gods concerning matters of the immediate practical significance. No Shang literature survives.<ref name="McCurleyShang" />

===Downfall===

===Downfall===