Changes

==Late Shang==

==Late Shang==

After a permanent capital was established at Anyang in 1300 BC, the king began to function more as a ruler and head of an established government. But he continued to tend to divination personally. A proposed divination would be written on a bone. The bones was then heated until stress caused it to crack. The cracks were interpreted by the king as either confirming or denying the divination. Ritual required the king to travel extensively, including trips to four sacred mountains.<ref name="McCurleyShang" />

After a permanent capital was established at Anyang in 1300 BC, the king began to function more as a ruler and head of an established government. But he continued to tend to divination personally. A proposed divination would be written on a bone. The bone was then heated until stress caused it to crack. The cracks were interpreted by the king as either confirming or denying the divination. Ritual required the king to travel extensively, including trips to four sacred mountains.<ref name="McCurleyShang" />

As writing developed around 1200 BC, only the late Shang can be considered fully historical.<ref>The XSZ Project gives exact years for various events beginning in 1300 BC, with the earlier period described only in general terms. For comparison, note that the standard chronology for Egypt begins with the Third Dynasty in 2750 BC.</ref> Contemporary inscriptions establish the sequence of rulers from this point on, so this can be considered the beginning of China's recorded history. The chariot was also introduced at around this time. Like the Xia, the Shang was once thought to be legendary. The excavation of Anyang, begun in 1928, demonstrated that the dynasty is historical. Anyang does not have a wall, which suggests the kings were confident that they could fend off invaders without one.<ref name="McCurleyShang" /> The royal tombs that have been unearthed suggest that human sacrifice was practiced.<ref>"[http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/episodes/treasure-tomb-of-the-warrior-queen/ Treasure Tomb of the Warrior Queen]", ''National Geographic'', 2010.</ref>  

As the Shang did not developed a system of writing until 1200 BC, only the late Shang can be considered fully historical.<ref>The XSZ Project gives exact years for various events beginning in 1300 BC, with the earlier period described only in general terms. For comparison, note that the standard chronology for Egypt begins with the Third Dynasty in 2750 BC.</ref> Contemporary inscriptions establish the sequence of rulers from this point on, so this can be considered the beginning of China's recorded history. The chariot was also introduced at around this time. Like the Xia, the Shang was once thought to be legendary. The excavation of Anyang, begun in 1928, demonstrated that the dynasty is historical. Anyang does not have a wall, which suggests the kings were confident that they could fend off invaders without one.<ref name="McCurleyShang" /> The royal tombs that have been unearthed suggest that human sacrifice was practiced.<ref>"[http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/episodes/treasure-tomb-of-the-warrior-queen/ Treasure Tomb of the Warrior Queen]", ''National Geographic'', 2010.</ref>  

The Shang calendar had 360 days with twelve months of thirty days each was developed. Intercalary months were added as necessary. The urban population were mainly engaged in metallurgy and other support services for the army and the state. In the countryside, the primary activity was growing millet.<ref name="McCurleyShang" />

The Shang calendar had 360 days with twelve months of thirty days each was developed. Intercalary months were added as necessary. The urban population were mainly engaged in metallurgy and other support services for the army and the state. In the countryside, the primary activity was growing millet.<ref name="McCurleyShang" />