The Shang Dynasty

Question 1

Shang Dynasty

Answer 1

• the first Chinese dynasty to leave historical records—is thought to have ruled from about 1600 to 1046 bce.
• Erlitou periods I and II (c. 1900 bce?) are now thought by many to represent a pre-Shang (and thus, perhaps, Xia) horizon
• archaeological classification of Middle Shang is represented by the remains found at Erligang (c. 1600 bce) near Zhengzhou, some 50 miles (80 km) to the east of Erlitou
• Panlongcheng in Hubei, 280 miles (450 km) south of Zhengzhou, is an example of Middle Shang expansion into the northwest, northeast, and south.
• The Late Shang period is best represented by a cluster of sites focused on the village of Xiaotun, west of Anyang in northern Henan.