Shang Dynasty (1523 BC - 1028 BC)
Established by King Tang, the Shang dynasty either started in the 18th to the mid-16th century B.C.E lasting for over 600 years and was also ruled by thirty different emperors. It was considered the second dynasty of China which succeeded the Xia Dynasty by overthrowing Jie, Xia's last emperor. During these years, the Chinese have used bronze to improve their technology ("Shang Dynasty — China's First Recorded History."). Bronze changed the way how people lived which signaled the advent of Shang Dynasty and created a new event in history: The Bronze Age. This event made bronze working, a job, become common which also made handicraft industry very important in terms of economy. Bronze was used for a variety of things such as chariots, axes, ritual ceremonies, and small objects such as hairpins.
Exchange of Goods In Shang Dynasty
Many of Shang Dynasty's trade routes were located near rivers such as the Yellow River and the Yangtze River. The Chinese often had skilled sculptors and artisans to construct some of the items that were traded at the time ("Shang Dynasty — China's First Recorded History."). These artisans carved marble and jade, made tableware from porcelain, molded bronze to make many items, wove silk, and used ink to paint on silk. Since Shang Dynasty was experiencing the Bronze Age, they commonly used bronze to make vessels for drinking, weapons, and even instruments such as drums or the Xun. This made bronze very important since it helped trade many goods to foreigners such as Fujian, Taiwan, and Korea. Sculptors uased bronze by carving designs into it along with jade. Sculptors also used these materials to create pottery.
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