The Shang dynasty ruled in the Yellow River region of northern China in the second millennium BCE and is the earliest Chinese dynasty for which there is written evidence. Its kings, who also acted as chief priests, consulted their ancestors by cracking heated animal bones and turtle shells, which they inscribed with questions. These oracle bones are the earliest known Chinese writing. The Shang were skilled bronze workers, who produced ritual vessels of great complexity, and they built cities, of which the last capital was at Anyang. Its rule ended when the Zhou people overthrew the last king around 1046 BCE, according to tradition.
Before and after
- from c. 1,650 BCE to 1,550 BCEFifteenth Dynasty of Egypt
- from c. 1,650 BCE to 1,580 BCESixteenth Dynasty of Egypt
- c. 1,645 BCEEruption of Aniakchak
- c. 1,610 BCEEruption of Santorini
- from c. 1,600 BCE to 1,046 BCEShang dynasty
- from c. 1,600 BCE to 1,100 BCEMycenaean Greece
- from c. 1,580 BCE to 1,550 BCESeventeenth Dynasty of Egypt
- from c. 1,550 BCE to 1,292 BCEEighteenth Dynasty of Egypt
- from c. 1,550 BCE to 1,070 BCEEgyptian Empire
More in Civilizations & archaeology
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- 81 CEConstruction of Colosseum
- from 476 CE to 1492Middle Ages
The era
This moment belongs to the Ancient civilizations (3,200 BCE to 500 CE), writing, cities and empires. You can also browse everything in the 16th century BCE.