The Shang dynasty ruled in the Yellow River valley from about 1600 to about 1046 BC, founded by Tang, also known as Tai Yi, after he overthrew Jie, the last king of the preceding Xia dynasty. Its capital moved several times, from earlier sites at Bo, Ao, Yan and Xiang to the significant late capital of Yin, near modern Anyang, and to Zhaoge near modern Qi County. Covering approximately 1,250,000 square kilometers by around 1122 BC, the Shang is the earliest dynasty in traditional Chinese history firmly supported by archaeological evidence, producing the earliest known examples of Chinese writing on oracle bones and advancing bronze working and military technology, including chariots that appeared around 1200 BC. The dynasty ended when its last king, Di Xin, was defeated by Wu of Zhou at the Battle of Muye around 1046 BC and took his own life after his army's defeat, and the Zhou dynasty succeeded it.
Facts
Government Type Start YearCirca date per the source's own infobox; no exact year is claimed for a Bronze Age founding this far back. End YearCirca date per the source's own infobox. Government type (class) Classification
Status (Extant or Former) FAQs
Why is the Shang dynasty counted as the first documented Chinese dynasty when the Xia came before it?
It is the first Chinese dynasty with both written and archaeological evidence, while the Xia is quasi-legendary.
The Xia is traditionally listed as the first Chinese dynasty, with the Shang as its reputed successor, but the Xia is described as quasi-legendary. The Shang is the first recorded Chinese dynasty for which there is both documentary and archaeological evidence. That pairing of written records and excavated remains is what sets it apart from the Xia, and it is why the Shang is treated as the earliest firmly attested dynasty.
Connections
In Era
Source Wikipedia: Shang dynasty
Preceded By
Why this is disputed. Recorded per traditional Chinese historiography; the Xia dynasty's own historical existence is contested (see its own start-year StatusNote).
Source Wikipedia: Xia dynasty
Succeeded By
Source Wikipedia: Shang dynasty
In the Other Atlases
Same As
Also in Geography Atlas: the same subject.
Government Type
Also in Society and Culture Atlas: the government type of this subject.
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Shang dynasty
WikipediaInfobox
Government: Monarchy
Shang dynasty: Status
The dynasty ended when its last king, Di Xin, was defeated by Wu of Zhou at the Battle of Muye around 1046 BC and took his own life after his army's defeat, and the Zhou dynasty succeeded it.
- Succeeded By: Zhou dynasty
In Era: The Ancient Near East and Bronze Age World, lead paragraph and infobox, existence dates
The Shang dynasty (Chinese: 商朝; pinyin: Shāngcháo), also known as the Yin dynasty (殷代; Yīn dài), was a Chinese royal dynasty that ruled in the Yellow River valley during the 2nd millennium BC, traditionally succeeding the Xia dynasty and followed by the Western Zhou dynasty.
View the Source Wikipedia: Xia dynasty
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