Chapter 20: The Shang Dynasty

How did scholars learn that the Shang dynasty was real and not just a myth?

• They read old books.

• They found artifacts.

• They learned the language.

• They asked Chinese elders.

What led archaeologists to conclude that the Shang believed in life after death?

• finding food and weapons buried with kings

• figuring out the characters carved into bones

• seeing pots used for ceremonies in the temples

• studying the position in which bodies were laid out

In the Shang civilization, Anyang was the

• chief ruler.

• capital city.

• royal army.

• state religion.

What most helped Shang kings stay in power?

• use of a powerful army

• belief in magical dragons

• kindness to ordinary people

• marriage into leading families

What have scholars concluded from the large number of wild animal bones found at Shang sites?

• The Shang kept livestock.

• The Shang rode elephants.

• The Shang were active hunters.

• The Shang feared animal attacks.

Shang weapons were especially strong because skilled artisans made these objects from...

• iron.

• stone.

• bones.

• bronze.

Which of these Shang people had the lowest social status?

• merchants

• jade carvers

• stonemasons

• grain farmers

What often happened to people the Shang captured in wars?

• They married into the royal family.

• They worked on construction, as slaves.

• They were given land to start new farms.

• They learned the skills to become artisans.

The modern Chinese word for “merchant” is shang ren, which means “Shang man.” What does this suggest about Shang culture?

• The Shang traded a great deal.

• Most Shang could read and write.

• Most Shang bartered for their goods.

• The Shang used cowrie shells as money.

What technology did the Shang use to make strong helmets?

• soaking wood in salt water

• letting pottery harden in a mold

• weaving bamboo strips into a mat

• shaping a mixture of copper and tin