Khan Academy: Introduction to the Shang Dynasty

The Shang dynasty extends from roughly 1500 to 1050 B.C.E. According to various histories the Shang people originated along the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River. They defeated the Xia under the king Chengtang and established a number of city states. The Shang have been known in the archaeological record from around 1898-99, when oracle bones drew attention to the site of Anyang, revealing the last capital of the Shang, and confirming the existence of the dynasty. Since then, the period has been divided into two main stages known as Erligang and Anyang. It is believed the Shang moved their capital at least five times, and several dozen Shang sites have been identified. At this point, however, the best known sites are at Anyang and Zhengzhou.