Shang Dynasty

State · 1,600–1,001 BCE · at its largest around 1,600 BCE

Early Chinese dynasty in the Yellow River valley whose late capital at Yin (near Anyang) produced oracle-bone inscriptions, China's earliest known writing.

On its lands while it lasted

Xia dynasty (traditional) (c. 2,070–1,600 BCE): The first dynasty in traditional Chinese historiography; its historical existence is debated because no contemporary written records have been found.
Erlitou culture (c. 1,900–1,500 BCE): Early Bronze Age urban society centred on the Erlitou site near Luoyang, with palatial buildings and bronze vessels; some scholars link it to the Xia dynasty.
Shang dynasty (c. 1,600–1,046 BCE): The earliest Chinese dynasty confirmed by contemporary records, known for bronze casting and oracle-bone inscriptions; an early capital lay at present-day Zhengzhou.
Yinxu (Shang capital at Anyang) (c. 1,300–1,046 BCE): Ruins of the late Shang capital near Anyang, the source of most oracle bones and of royal tombs including that of Fu Hao.
Oracle bone script (c. 1,250 BCE): Divination inscriptions carved on turtle shells and ox bones at the late Shang court are the earliest substantial body of Chinese writing.
Battle of Muye (c. 1,046 BCE): King Wu of Zhou defeated the last Shang king, Di Xin, ending the Shang dynasty and founding the Zhou.