The Shang Dynasty: Material Evidence of Early State Formation

1. Maximum Spread Of Shang Civilization Anyang 1300-1046 BCE Erligang (Zhengzhou site) 1600-1300 BCE Erlitou 1900-1500 BCE

2. Erlitou 二里 頭 Site 1600 BCE Some scholars speculate that this “palace-temple” courtyard might have been the “capital” of the (mythical?) Xia dynasty

3. Bronze Jia Tripod Wine Vessel , Erlitou culture 1600 BCE

4. Bronze Jue Tripod Wine Vessel, Erlitou culture 1600 BCE

5. Bronze ding Tripod Vessel Erlitou culture 1600 BCE

6. Maximum Spread Of Shang Civilization Anyang 1300-1046 BCE Erligang (Zhengzhou site) 1600-1300 BCE Erlitou 1900-1500 BCE

7. Zhengzhou Yanshi Erligang 二里岡 period sites Several early city-states emerged around 1600 BCE, occupying several large walled “capitals” and satellite “cities”

8. Erli gang Period Tamped Earth Walls at Zhengzhou 鄭州 Site 1700 m 1870 m

9. Bronze Jue Tripod Wine Vessel Zhengzhou site Erli gang period c. 1 4 00 BCE

10. Bronze Fangding Four-Legged Vessel Zhengzhou Site Erli gang period c. 1 4 00 BCE

11. Bronze ding Tripod Vessel Zhengzhou Site Erli gang period c. 1 4 00 BCE

12. Erli gang Period Open Pit Mining

13. Maximum Spread Of Shang Civilization Anyang 1300-1046 BCE Erligang (Zhengzhou site) 1600-1300 BCE Erlitou 1900-1500 BCE

14. “ The Ruins of Yin” 殷墟 Anyang 安陽 Site c. 1300-1100 BCE The capital complex of nine Shang kings whose names are documented in OBI

15. Bronze Ritual Vessel Anyang P eriod c. 1200 BCE

16. Bronze Gu Beaker Bronze Jue Wine Vessel Anyang Period

17. Bronze Zun Wine Vessel Anyang period

18. Spoute d Guang wine vessel Anyang Period

19. USED EVERYWHERE BUT CHINA: The “ Lost-Wax” Bronze Casting Technique

20. Ceramic Molds for Bronzecasting Zhengzhou site Erligang period

21. Piece of a clay mold used in bronze casting Piece of a Clay Mold Used in Bronze Casting

22. TRY THIS AT HOME! The Piece-Mold Bronze Casting Technique