6. A Tentative Description of the Civilization of the Middle Period of Late Shang

Abstract

The late Shang represents a peak in bronze culture, and was the culmination of a long period of development. The words of the Duke of Zhou in the “Wu yi” chapter of the Shang shu that “The kings who arose after [Zu Jia], during their (whole) life enjoyed ease …. After this there were none who had any chance of reaching a high age…” is not sufficient to be relied upon. Nor is it appropriate to evaluate the entirety of Late Shang history solely on the basis of the large number of oracle bones from the reign of Wu Ding. The primary purpose of this paper is to demonstrate, through an analysis of the contents of oracle-bone inscriptions from the Middle Late Shang, i.e., from Lin Xin to Wen Wu Ding, that there was continued progress in the fields of society, economy, and culture and in the political and military affairs of the ruling house.

Agriculture under the direct control of the Shang ruling house, including all sorts of agricultural activities, continued as before, and in some cases advanced beyond that of the previous age. In the area of handicrafts, metal casting, the “hundred craftsmen,” organizations of craftsmen and the official position of Director of Craftsmen all appear in the oracle bones. In terms of archaeology, the number, shape, manufacture, decoration, and inscriptions of bronze vessels reached a new plateau. The palace architecture and the geographical extent of residences at Yinxu were greatly expanded.