Travelogue 2010-04-02 History & Culture Series 1 - Shang Dynasty

2010-04-02 06:57 BJT

The Shang Dynasty ruled the territory of the present-day north-central provinces of Henan, Hubei, and Shandong and the northern part of Anhui. The capital, from about 1384 BC on, was situated at Anyang of Henan. The modern city of AnYang, China, lies in the northern province of Henan. For centuries, its secret past lay hidden beneath the city streets.

AnYang was the last capital of the Shang Dynasty, and easily the most important Bronze Age site in East Asia. Since 1928, Chinese archaeologists have unearthed extensive architectural foundations, tombs, chariots, thousands of bronze vessels, almost uncountable ceramics, and about 150,000 oracle bones. The oracle bones attest to a rich written language, primarily used for divination.

The occupation at AnYang includes the remains of over 50 stamp-earth foundations of temples and palaces, the largest of which measures some 230 x 130 ft. Residential and workshop areas within the city contain evidence of carving, particularly of jade; bronze casting; pottery making; and bone working.

This was a sophisticated Bronze Age culture, driven by millet agriculture. Anyang is an important site in the history of the Shang Dynasty as well as Chinese history as a whole. Further research will uncover new information that will gain us more insight into this fascinating culture.

Editor: James | Source: CCTV.com