Storiascopio · Era 3 of 12 · primary year 4
The Shang dynasty
about 1600–1046 BC · Anyang, Yellow River valley (China)
In short
Along the Yellow River, in China, the Shang dynasty ruled for about five centuries. Its craftsmen cast bronze into large vessels decorated with animal masks, used in ceremonies for the ancestors. The last capital, near today's Anyang, was a real city with palaces, workshops and royal tombs. The Shang are the first Chinese dynasty for which we have written evidence.
Why it matters With the Shang, Chinese history steps out of legend and becomes documented.
Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Shang dynasty”
Where we are in the era “River civilisations”
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about 4000 BCEvent 20 of 25about 1200 BC
Your turn
Name ______________________ Class ______ Date __________
When did it happen? Find the date at the top and write it here:
Tell it in your own words: what happened?
Draw the scene below.
storiascopio.com/en/event/the-shang-dynasty/ · free worksheet, you may photocopy it for your class