Question

In 75-150 words

What characteristics of early Chinese culture, belief and social organization were most notably developed in the Shang period?

Answer 1

The farming culture of northern China had advanced in social complexity and technological sophistication for decades before the emergence of the Shang dynasty, for instance with the advent of wheel-thrown pottery. By. 1800 BCE, bronze casting expertise had reached the Yellow River Valley from western China, as shown by the bronze bells and other items found at the locations of the early 3rd millennium.

It is evident that during the early 2nd millennium BCE, probably the consequence of population expansion, warfare became much more common. Throughout history, war success has always depended on both excellent organisation and military courage, and this was obviously an era when tribal chiefdoms were converted into adequate kingdoms. In these, the kings and their agents were able to exercise control over relatively large fields, gathering enough homage from the farming population to pay for luxury courts where authority was focused.

These courts were serviced by specialized and highly skilled craftsmen – the range and quality of the bronze vessels recovered from sites of the period is staggering, appearing so suddenly in the archaeological record.

Ancient China arises in the light of history under the Shang. Written documents, mostly in the form of inscriptions on oracle bones, pottery or bronze vessels, shed light on the period's culture and politics. The Shang script was a completely advanced writing scheme, comparable to the one still in use today on China.

Therefore, the Shang state came to be made up of various areas. The capital city itself and the surrounding landscape were in the center. The king of Shang directly governed this region. The remainder of the Shang kingdom, split into many localities, each controlled by a subordinate lord, was surrounding this core region. Finally, there was a big exterior territory of kingdoms and chiefdoms that recognized the king of Shang as their supreme master. These would send troops to the Shang military if needed.

The Kingdom of Shang was at the center of a long-distance trade route network. This is demonstrated by the cowrie shells that served as a currency unit. All were imported, some thousands of kilometers south from tropical waters. Tortoise shells used for divination purposes are also imported from the south, as is the jade used in decorative objects. It is unknown exactly how the traders fitted into society, but it is probable that some, perhaps even royal servants, were strongly connected with the royal court.

Southern China's rice-growing region, centered on the Yangze Valley, had created a civilization level to rival the Shang. With Zhenzhou, large, rich urban centers had appeared modern. They exhibited a unique tradition of southern bronze work, such as casting tigers on bronze vessel handles. They do not appear to have used writing, however, either their own or imported from the north.