The Shang Dynasty (BC 1766 – BC 1122) was a myth until the discovery of the dynasty’s last capital, Xin Xu.
Xin Xu was the capital for about three hundred years.
Tomb robbers discovered the Shang tombs first. Although most of the tombs excavated by archeologists had already been looted, the site still provided evidence of Shang culture and rituals.
Sacrifice to the gods and ancestors were a major part of Shang social and domestic life.
Bronze artifacts have been unearthed that represent the highest level of technology for the dynasty.
The Shang people used elaborate and dramatic rituals and music was one of the most important elements of ceremonies.
Three thousand years ago, the Shang people cooked food in ceramic steamers.
Archeologists have also discovered that the Shang capital had a complex walled city structure. In some areas of the city, it even had an underground piped water supply.
Continued with Part 2 on January 18, 2018
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Lloyd Lofthouse is the award-winning author of My Splendid Concubine, Crazy is Normal, Running with the Enemy, and The Redemption of Don Juan Casanova.
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