LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Shang Dynasty: Xia Dynasty
built 615 days ago
Until excavations in the 20th century provided archaeological evidence for the Xia, the Shang was the first verifiable Chinese dynasty. Dates for its founding vary; traditionally its rule was said to have spanned 1766–1122 BC, but more recently the range has been given as c. 1600–1046 BC. Shang society was stratified: it included a king, local governors, nobles, and the masses, who engaged in agriculture. The Shang developed a 12-month, 360-day calendar with intercalary months added as necessary. The Chinese writing system began to develop; numerous records and ceremonial inscriptions survive. Surviving artifacts include musical instruments, superb bronze vessels, pottery for ceremonial and daily use, and jade and ivory ornaments.
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Shang Tang had spent 17 years in fighting against the Emperor Jie before he overthrew the Xia Dynasty. When he came to the throne, he was found to be a good and virtuous ruler. He was always thinking of the good for his people. He was full of benevolence not only for his people, but ... for the animals. Hehas been considered as a model ruler and his example was imitated by every monarch. He was succeeded by his grandson Tai Jia.
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The Shang dynasty is believed to have been founded by a rebel leader who overthrew the last (still legendary) Xia ruler. Its civilization was based on agriculture, augmented by hunting and animal husbandry. The Records of the Grand Historian states that the Shang Dynasty moved its capital six times. The final and most important move to Yin in 1350 BC led to the golden age of the dynasty. The term Yin Dynasty has been synonymous with the Shang dynasty in history, although lately it has been used specifically in reference to the latter half of the Shang.
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The end of 400 years of Xia rule resulted in the rise of the Shang Dynasty. During this period, powerful warlord-kings used wise seers to predict the future, based on interpretations of cracks in fire-heated oracle bones. Many of these predictions were then etched into the bones, planting the seed for a written language. Elaborate bronzewares were cast and used suring important ceremonies to pay homage to ancestors and heroic figures.
The Shang dynasty (... called the Yin dynasty in its later stages) is believed to have been founded by a rebel leader who overthrew the last Xia ruler. Its civilization was based on agriculture, augmented by hunting and animal husbandry.
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Xia Dynasty