Curated OER
China Overview: A Brief History of Chinese Dynasties
Sometimes all you need is a quick reminder and a brief outline to help put information in order. Present your class with an outline of the major accomplishments, individuals, and culture that marked each of China's ten Dynasties. This is...
Curated OER
Ancient China
Unveil the mysteries of ancient China in this presentation, which includes photographs of historic relics from the Neolithic and Bronze Ages. Slides detail the Hsia, Shang, and Zhou Dynasties; especially helpful is the final slide, which...
Curated OER
Understanding History Through Oracle Bone Study
Learners study the Chinese characters and oracle bone inscriptions in order to understand the relevance of language to the reflection of cultural values. They examine the appearance of an oracle bone and the use of oracle bones in...
Curated OER
Chinese Dynasties
Students explore several Chinese dynasties and research various topics including papermaking, calligraphy, and Lu Hou. They also demonstrate how to use an abacus and create several math problems to solve with it. Choosing a dynasty,...
Curated OER
Chinese Bronze Vessels: A Ceramic Interpretation of a Historic Tradition
Students demonstrate a knowledge of a historic period (Shang Dynasty) and an appreciation of a different culture (Chinese) by making a ceramic container that is meant to hold something of value.
Other
University of North Carolina at Pembroke: Lecture Notes: Ancient India and China
Lengthy illustrated notes, to accompany a university-level course, on the rise and spread of civilization in India and China.
Princeton University
Princeton University Art Museum: Creating a Bronze Vessel
Wonderful photographs and animations explain how the Chinese of the Shang and Zhou dynasties (ca. 1600 B.C. to 256 B.C.) cast bronze. Excellent site for studying how the Chinese made bronze, one of the important technologies of ancient...
University of Maryland
University of Maryland: The Ancient Dynasties
A discussion of the Shang and Zhou Dynasties of Ancient China. Includes maps and information about ancient rulers.
University of Washington
Washington University: Fu Hao Tomb
This article contains photos and information about the various items found in Fu Hao's tomb, a Shang dynasty archaelogical site.
Then Again
Then Again: Web Chron: Late Bronze Age China
Information about the Shang Dynasty in China, the earliest in recorded history. Short article that discusses agriculture, rulers and society.
Other
Art History Worlds: Early River Valley Civilizations
Why did the first complex, politically centralized civilizations materialize along rivers? Find out here by taking a close look at the Nile River civilizations, Mesopotamia, the Harappan civilization and the Xia, the Shang, and the Zhou...
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Metropolitan Museum of Art: Spouted Wine Vessel
This piece of art was on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. A beautiful photograph and description are given.
Other
The Face of the Beast Taotie Images
One of the great mysteries of ancient China is the origin and meaning of the terrifying animal faces on ancient Shang ritual vessels. This illustrated article surveys this Chinese bronze art decoration in great detail.
Archaeological Institute of America
Shang City Uncovered
This article describes the early excavation successes of the American-Chinese archaeological partnership, the Anyang Project.
Lin and Don Donn
Lin and Don Donn: Ancient China: Daily Life During Shang & Chou Dynasties
This page has information about the Shang & Chou dynasties, including specifics about family, ancestor worship, oracle bones, kings and nobles, warriors, farmers, and merchants and craftsmen.
Other
Taipei Economic & Cultural Office: Chinese Bronzes
This is a nice site about Chinese bronzes. This page actually explains a lot about the history of the bronzes, how bronze is made, and the different patterns that different dynasties put on their bronzes.
Other
Ancient History of China Ii: Shang Dynasty
This site from the University of Oslo provides an extensive commentary on the development of the ancient Shang Dynasty. Emphasis is placed on political structure, aristocratic practices, and the distribution of power.
Exploring Ancient World Cultures
Exploring Ancient World Cultures: China Chronology
The site from the University of Evansville lists all time periods in ancient Chinese history and gives a brief description and link to that time period.
Lin and Don Donn
Lin and Don Donn: Ancient China
This large site is a personal site from teachers Don and Lin Donn that contains information on life during the Shang & Chou Dynasties. It is divided into sections about: family, ancestor worship, oracle bones, kings and nobles,...
Other
North China City Believed to Be Ancient Capital
This site provides an article on Xingtai in North China's Hebei Province, which was probably one of the capital cities of the Shang Dynasty.
Curated OER
Washington University: Fu Hao Tomb
This article contains photos and information about the various items found in Fu Hao's tomb, a Shang dynasty archaelogical site.
Curated OER
Washington University: Fu Hao Tomb
This article contains photos and information about the various items found in Fu Hao's tomb, a Shang dynasty archaelogical site.
Curated OER
Washington University: Fu Hao Tomb
This article contains photos and information about the various items found in Fu Hao's tomb, a Shang dynasty archaelogical site.
Curated OER
Washington University: Fu Hao Tomb
This article contains photos and information about the various items found in Fu Hao's tomb, a Shang dynasty archaelogical site.