Video Unit Bronzes, Oracle Bones, and the Legitimation of Power [Open Learning Initiative, Harvard Extension School]
Lecture 3 of 37 from the Harvard Open Learning Initiative course, China: Traditions and Transformations. This 50-minute lecture presentation, with an accompanying slide presentation that can be controlled separately, is part of an introductory course on China for undergraduates at Harvard. Taught by two of the leading scholars of the China field — professors Peter Bol and William Kirby — the presentations provide background for teachers and students alike. Suitable for secondary school classrooms, especially AP-World History courses. (The link above leads to the main course page listing all 37 lectures. Scroll to Lecture 3: Bronzes, Oracle Bones, and the Legitimation of Power and select a connection type to view or listen to this lecture.)
Overview Maps Dynasties
of China [The Genographic Project: Atlas of
the Human Journey, NationalGeographic.com]
Eight small maps displayed together, showing China's eight major dynasties from the
Shang to the Qing. The maps are very small, but shown together and with text summarizing
the history of all eight dynasties, they effectively provide an excellent overview
history from ca. 1750 B.C.E. to today. Site removed at NGS temporarily; check back.
Timeline Timeline of Chinese History and Dynasties [Asia for Educators]
An overview of Chinese history through its major dynasties. Includes
a dynasty timeline, a chronological outline with short descriptions
of key dynasties, and a "dynasties song" to help students
remember the major Chinese dynasties in chronological order.
ca. 2,000 to 771 BCE
Printable Map Maps
of Chinese Dynasties: Shang Dynasty [The Art
of Asia, Minneapolis Institute of Arts]
Color map showing land ruled by China's Shang dynasty relative to present-day
political boundaries. Can be downloaded as a .pdf file.
Printable Map Maps
of Chinese Dynasties: Chou (Zhou) Dynasty [The
Art of Asia, Minneapolis Institute of Arts]
Color map showing land ruled by China's Zhou dynasty relative
to present-day political boundaries. Can be downloaded as a .pdf file.
Interactive Map Shang/Zhou
Dynasty, ca. 1600-256 B.C. [Princeton University
A detailed introduction to Shang and Zhou China. With four related art
objects, all with lengthy descriptions and two with a 360-degree rotate
view, and an
interactive map with an excellent COMPARE feature that allows
the user to select any two dynastic periods in Chinese history and
compare them by moving from one map to the other.
The Golden Age of Chinese Archaeology: Bronze Age China [National Gallery of Art]
Teaching materials developed in conjunction with the exhibition The Golden Age of Chinese Archaeology: Celebrated Discoveries from The People's Republic of China.
Organized into four sections, each with images and descriptions of 4
to 6 related objects. This section discusses the Xia, Shang, and Western
Zhou dynasties and an oracle bone and bronze objects from the Shang and
Shang and Zhou Dynasties: The Bronze Age of China [Timeline of Art History, The Metropolitan Museum of Art]
A discussion of material culture during China's Bronze Age, which began around BCE 2000. Bronze production is discussed at length, along with jade carving. With nine related artworks.
Shang Dynasty, 1600 to 1050 B.C. [PDF] [SPICE
Digest, Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Stanford
A brief overview of the Shang and its contributions.
Treasures from a Lost Civilization: Ancient Chinese Art from Sichuan [Seattle Art Museum]
Online presentation of a 2001 exhibition at the Seattle Art Museum. Select Sanxingdui, Zhou, or Han at the top of the page for information about each, including a gallery of related objects and "Things to Consider" for each topic.
Ancient Tombs: Shang Tomb of Fu Hao [A Visual Sourcebook of Chinese Civilization, University of Washington]
A Visual Sourcebook of Chinese Civilization, prepared by University of Washington history professor Patricia Buckley Ebrey, is an excellent resource, with images, questions for discussion, timelines, maps, and suggested readings throughout. This particular unit discusses five archaeological sites, one of which is a royal tomb from the Shang dynasty(ca. 1600-1050 BCE) -- that of Fu Hao, the consort of King Wu Ding.
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