The Shang Dynasty
This entitles the characteristics of the Shang dynasty.
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PRESENTATION OUTLINE
THE SHANG DYNASTY
A CIVILIZATION? BY SANYA GARG
SOCIAL STRUCTURE
THE STATUE OF AN ELEPHANT WAS MADE BY CRAFTSPEOPLE AND SHOWS THAT THE FARMERS RAISED ELEPHANTS.
Social Structure
The bronze statue of two elephants (to the left) symbolizes the farmers, as farmers in the ancient Shang dynasty previously raised elephants. When archeologists uncovered this statue, they were able to determine that the Shang brought up elephants. They also inferred that elephants were an important part of farmers' life, therefore the craftspeople carved them on pieces of bronze.
The bronze statue of two elephants (to the left) symbolizes the farmers, as farmers in the ancient Shang dynasty previously raised elephants. When archeologists uncovered this statue, they were able to determine that the Shang brought up elephants. They also inferred that elephants were an important part of farmers' life, therefore the craftspeople carved them on pieces of bronze.
RELIGION
THE ORACLE BONE ABOVE, UTILIZED BY MANY SHANG PRIESTS AND KINGS, WAS USED TO SEEK ADVISE FROM RELATIVES.
Religion
The oracle bone above, utilized by many Shang priests and kings, was used to seek advise from relatives. Kings used wishbones to ask for their ancestor's advice on important matters. Since Shang kings had the duty to always follow the wishes of their ancestors, it was always necessary for them to consult an oracle bone.
The oracle bone above, utilized by many Shang priests and kings, was used to seek advise from relatives. Kings used wishbones to ask for their ancestor's advice on important matters. Since Shang kings had the duty to always follow the wishes of their ancestors, it was always necessary for them to consult an oracle bone.
WRITING
THE SHANG PEOPLE OF THE SHANG DYNASTY WERE THE FIRST CIVILIZATION TO USE LOGOGRAPHS.
Writing
This scroll was found buried with one of the Shang kings. The earlier Chinese used pictographs, or pictures that stood for objects and sounds. The Shang dynasty were the first that used logo graphs, or characters that stand for words. Having the same written language around China helped unify it to later become a country.
This scroll was found buried with one of the Shang kings. The earlier Chinese used pictographs, or pictures that stood for objects and sounds. The Shang dynasty were the first that used logo graphs, or characters that stand for words. Having the same written language around China helped unify it to later become a country.
ART
THIS BRONZE VESSEL SHOWS PICTURES OF MYTHICAL CREATURES THAT ARE MADE OF GEOMETRIC SHAPES
The bronze vessel to the left was made by craftspeople in the Shang dynasty. Most vessels like this one, had geometric designs and pictures of mythical animals. Most vessels had pictures of taoties, or animal masks. Aside from bronze, Shang craftspeople also made beautiful jade pieces. Kings used jade tokens as symbols of power. The Chinese believed that the qualities of the material, jade might have represented the qualities of an ideal person.
GOVERNMENT
THE BRONZE KNIFE ABOVE WAS USED BY THE SHANG KING'S POWERFUL ARMIES.
The bronze knife was used by one of the men in the army led by the Shang King. The Shang government was led by one King who set up smaller kingdoms around China, to expand his state of power. To make sure no one would revolt against his ways, the king led powerful armies to defend and conquer. The Shang were the first to discover the use of bronze, which made them very hard to defeat, as they had all bronze weapons.
TECHNOLOGY
THIS BRONZE HELMET WAS ONE OF THE MANY WEAPONS THE SHANG USED.
THIS BRONZE HELMET'S TECHNOLOGY WAS THE REASON THAR THE SHANG WERE ABLE TO STAY IN POWER FOR OVER 500 YEARS. The Shang used bronze to make arrowheads, spearheads, axe heads, helmets, and many more.
The Shang dynasty should be called a civilization, as it has all the aspects important to a civilization. In addition to a stable food supply, the Shang dynasty had a social structure, technology, a government, religion, art, and writing.
The Shang dynasty should be called a civilization, as it has all the aspects important to a civilization. In addition to a stable food supply, the Shang dynasty has a social structure, technology, a government, religion, art, and writing.
