| − | 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 was 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" /> |