The Shang Dynasty

In this lesson we will be learning all about an ancient Chinese civilisation called the Shang Dynasty! We are going to find out how we know about the Shang, by looking at the ancient artefacts and writing archaeologists have found.

In this lesson, we are going to be learning all about how the Shang Dynasty began, with the first ruler: Emperor Tang.

In this lesson, we will learn all about what life was like for different people living in the Shang Dynasty. We will find out about the food they ate, the jobs they had, and how society was structured.

In this lesson, we will learn all about the belief systems of the Shang, including how they worshipped their ancestors. We'll learn about the supreme god Shangdi, and how the priests used Oracle bones to try and speak to the spirits of their ancestors.

In this lesson we will be learning about other civilisations from around the world at the same time as the Shang Dynasty. We'll think about some of the beliefs these different civilisations held, and how they are similar and different.

In this lesson we will be learning all about Fu Hao, a peasant who rose to become a great priestess and general.

In this lesson, we will be learning all about the cruel and terrible King Zhou, and how the Shang Dynasty came to an end in ancient China.

In this lesson we will take a quick look at some of the largest empires throughout history. We'll see that empires have risen and fallen since the first civilisations, and try and spot any common reasons for their downfalls. Then, we'll apply this learning to the collapse of the Shang Dynasty.

In this lesson we will take a closer look at the great achievements of the Shang Dynasty. Although the empire had ended, we will learn all of the accomplishments that lasted after the final king had been overthrown.

In this lesson, we will learn how the Shang Dynasty was amongst the first civilisations to create major cities. We will look in detail at two of these cities and their relationship with the Yellow River, as well as how rural life continued to flourish alongside these cities.