Shang dynasty is traditionally placed at 1600 BCE. However, it is suspected to begun as early as 1750 BCE. It does not appear to have had much political control over China. Rather its importance seems to have been religious in that the "Son of Heaven" offered sacrifices for all Chinese. Before it finally came to an end, the next dynasty, the Zhou dynasty had already formed.
<< Xia dynasty 2070 BCE—1600 BCE |
Shang dynasty 1600 BCE—1046 BCE |
Zhou dynasty 1046 BCE—256 BCE >> |