Shang dynasty
Earliest Chinese dynasty confirmed by archaeology and written records.
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. It is the earliest dynasty within traditional Chinese history that is firmly supported by archaeological evidence, most notably from the site of Yinxu near modern-day Anyang, which has yielded tens of thousands of artifacts and the earliest known examples of Chinese writing.
- field
- Chinese royal dynasty
- nationality
- Chinese
- known_for
- Earliest Chinese dynasty with firm archaeological evidence; earliest known Chinese writing on oracle bones
- capital
- Yin (near modern-day Anyang)
- period
- 2nd millennium BC (16th to 11th centuries BC, with more agreement on end date)
Lore & Background
The Shang dynasty traditionally succeeded the Xia dynasty and was followed by the Western Zhou dynasty. Classic accounts come from texts such as the Book of Documents, Bamboo Annals, and Shiji. The founding myth, described by Sima Qian, tells of Jiandi, second wife of Emperor Ku, swallowing an egg dropped by a black bird and giving birth to Xie, who helped Yu the Great control the Great Flood and was granted Shang as a fief. The dynasty was founded 13 generations later when Tang overthrew the final Xia ruler, Jie, at the Battle of Mingtiao.
Reader's Guide
The Shang dynasty is significant as the earliest Chinese dynasty with solid archaeological backing, primarily from the site of Yinxu. Excavations there have revealed eleven major royal tombs, palace foundations, and remains of human and animal sacrifices. Over 20,000 oracle bones were discovered in the 1920s and 1930s, with more than four times that number found since, providing critical insight into politics, economy, religion, art, and medicine. The name 'Yin' was used for the dynasty in later texts and is still used in Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.
Did You Know?
- The Shang dynasty is also known as the Yin dynasty, a name that does not appear in oracle bone inscriptions but originated during the subsequent Zhou dynasty.
- More than 20,000 oracle bones were discovered during initial scientific excavations in the 1920s and 1930s, with over four times as many found since.
- The final Shang king, Di Xin, is said to have committed suicide after his army was defeated by Wu of Zhou at the Battle of Muye.
- Confucius was possibly a descendant of the Shang kings through the Dukes of Song.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Shang dynasty?
The Shang dynasty was a Chinese royal dynasty that governed the Yellow River valley during the second millennium BC. It is also commonly called the Yin dynasty, a name taken from its later seat of power.
What is the Shang dynasty known for?
It is recognized as the earliest Chinese dynasty whose existence is solidly confirmed by both material remains and written records. Its sites have yielded the oldest known examples of Chinese script, inscribed on oracle bones used for divination.
Where was the Shang dynasty's capital?
The dynasty's capital was at Yin, located near the modern city of Anyang in Henan province. Excavations at Yinxu in that area have turned up tens of thousands of artifacts that anchor the dynasty in verifiable history.
When did the Shang dynasty rule?
The Shang dynasty spanned roughly the 16th through the 11th centuries BC, placing it squarely in the second millennium BC. Historians agree more readily on the dynasty's end date than on its precise founding.
Why is the Shang dynasty important?
It marks the point where Chinese history shifts from legendary narrative to a period backed by concrete archaeological and epigraphic evidence. The oracle-bone inscriptions found at its sites represent the earliest known stage of the Chinese writing system.
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