The Shang built city-states in northeastern China, around the Yellow River, for which reason they are called the Yellow River Civilization. Different city-states served as the capital for different rulers.
The Shang worshipped Shang Ti 'Lord on high', ruler or the heavens, gods, and mankind.
Farming improved during the period and spades, sickles, and stone ploughs were used, mostly for millet and wheat. There were usually well-watered fields, with no evidence of irrigation until the Chou Dynasty, but oracle bones suggest there might have been rice cultivation since there is a character for rice. There may have been cultivation of sorghum. The king announced when it was time to plant. There was a 12-month 360-day calendar with recognition of the need to adjust to the solar cycle by means of intercalary months.
The Chou (Zhou) dynasty followed the Shang.
Source: World Civilizations - The Shang
On rice, see "Some Problems of Shang Culture and Institutions: A Review Article," by Ping-ti Ho. Pacific Affairs, Vol. 34, No. 3. (Autumn, 1961), pp. 291-297.
For a look at other dynasties in China, see Periods of Ancient China
- More on the Shang Dynasty
