ShangDynasty (~1700-1046B.C.E.)

The latter part of the Shang Dynasty, unlike the Xia, left a contemporaneous historical record that confirms at least some aspects of the ancient historical texts. This record mostly exists in writings found on tortoise shells and oxen shoulder blades. These artifacts are the earliest verified examples of Chinese writing yet found. Known as the Anyang oracle bones, these inscribed bones and shells were discovered close to Xiaotun, a small village near Anyang in northern Henan Province, during archaeological digs carried out in the 1920s and 1930s. The oracle bones describe divinations performed for the last nine Shang rulers, who are believed to have ruled from Xiaotun. Near the Xiaotun site are several plundered burial tombs that are thought to be the final resting spots of  eleven of the last twelve Shang rulers.

The Xiaotun site is now called Yinxu (”ruins of Yin”) and was recently declared a World Heritage Site. The reign of the last twelve Shang rulers is sometimes referred to as the Yin-Shang Dynasty.

Based on the historical texts, the Shang Dynasty began with the overthrow of the last Xia ruler. The first Shang capital was initially located near present-day Cao Xian in western Shandong Province, but it was moved at least five more times during the reign of the first 18 Shang rulers. Ruins of one of these capitals have been found in present-day Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan Province. Inscribed bronze vessels and jade carvings found in Shang ruins show a high degree of artisanship.