Shang Dynasty Research Paper

The Shang dynasty existed from 1750 to 1046 B.C.E., was located in the Yellow River valley of China. The dynasty was lead by King Tang the Victorious, or for short King Tang. One historian described the Shang as followed, “The Shang was an aristocratic culture — brilliant, luxurious, and savage.” To be aristocratic means to be related to the aristocracy, highest class. A definition of brilliant is impressive and successful, remarkable, display of intelligence. An example is A definition of luxurious means elegant, serene, indulgent pleasure. Lastly, the definition of savage is violent, fierce, pugnacious. These four terms really describe the Shang Dynasty as a whole. Like the historian stated, “ The Shang was an aristocratic culture — brilliant,

Both the Shang and their artistic actions were brilliant. Something brilliant about the Shang culture was their bronze work. The Shang Dynasty produced some of the most impressive bronze ever. One of the most impressive bronze piece made by the Shang was their bronze vessels. To make bronze vessels was a long and tiring process, but each time they turned out to be magnificent pieces of art. The bronze vessels were treated as sacred objects, “since they had been ‘magically’ transformed from molten metal into solid objects.” (Art, pg. 21) Many vessels had a monster face, taotie, which was to ward away evil spirits. Along with the vessels, the Shang made many other things out of bronze. The noble members of the Shang, local tribal chiefs fought with bronze weapons. Some of these weapons were bronze daggers, spear points and arrowheads and halberds. They also wore bronze helmets. The Shang’s bronze work shows brilliance. The Shang dynasty bronzesmith created a method, method of piece-mold casting to make their bronze work. The Shang dynasty was not only figured out the “formula” for creating bronze masterpieces, but they continued to create ravishing pieces of

The Shang dynasty was a very luxurious time period. Higher ranked nobles and kings were buried with many luxuries such as bronze, stone, jade, ceramic and jade objects. The Shang people believed that, “their souls would continue to enjoy the comforts they had known in this world, as long as they were buried properly.” (Art, pg. 26) These people were buried in wooden coffins like the Longshan. They were buried with an abundance of luxury items in the ground. Many people sacrificed themselves such as the higher ranked nobility's wives, servants and sometimes soldiers. A considerable example is Lady Hao, Wu Ding’s favorite wife. Lady Hao was a very powerful women, “...Took charge of certain religious rituals (a role usually reserved for men). She even led several military campaigns… (Art, pg 27). Lady Hao surrounded herself with luxury throughout her life and when she was dead in the ground. She was buried with manifold amount of luxuries some of them were: jade objects, stone sculptures, weapons and mirrors. Lady Hao was also buried with 7,000 cowrie shells, their ancient form of currency. She was an fascinating women who deserved to be buried with all these