1. Social Structure and Family
1.1. Sumerians
1.1.1. - Priests had a high social status
1.1.2. - Many cities were dynastys
1.1.3. - Men had all of the political power
1.1.4. - Artisans, and laborers were at the bottom of the social class
1.2. Shang/Zhou
1.2.1. -Descended from the longshan Neolithic culture
1.2.2. -Shang ruling class was considered the Zhou 'Semibarbarious country cousins"
1.2.3. -Ministers and court members were chosen based on birth rather than talent
1.2.4. Qin became a close ally to Zhou and they had marriage relations with Zhou's ruling class
2. Economy and Trade
2.1. Sumerians
2.1.1. - Used symbols derived from clay tokens
2.1.2. - They got many of their building materials through trade
2.1.3. - Used woven textiles to trade
2.1.4. - They traded for timber and stone
2.2. Shang/Zhou
2.2.1. -Used Jade for recording treaties between different states.
2.2.2. -Ran their government by Fedalalism, so did medieval Europe.
2.2.3. -Cities were noble fortresses and artisans were linked to the court.
2.2.4. -During Western Zhou period, goods came through tribute and gifts rather than trade.
3. Arts and Education
3.1. Sumerians
3.1.1. - Used a math system that was based on 60
3.1.2. - They used arches and ramps in their architecture
3.1.3. - They used geometry
3.1.4. - Their math influences us today; 60 minutes in an hour, a circle is 360 degrees
3.2. Shang/Zhou
3.2.1. -Used piece-mold casting which allowed a higher degree of sharpness and definition
3.2.2. -Taotie was used as decoration. It has lots of characteristics and many different versions.
3.2.3. -They carved wood and ivories
3.2.4. Labor-Intensive bronze production
4. Religion
4.1. Sumerians
4.1.1. - They believed civilization was Gods result of triumph over chaos
4.1.2. - Practiced Polytheism
4.1.3. - Gods controlled natural forces and the weather
4.1.4. - The chief of the gods varied fro period to period
4.2. Shang/Zhou
4.2.1. -Jade was used for offerings to gods and anscestors.
4.2.2. -The Zhou ruler was known as the "Son of Heaven".
4.2.3. -Introduced the concept of "tian" or heaven, as a supernatural power, more powerful than the Shangdi or "god on high".
4.2.4. Ancient chinese priests commonly used tortoise shells and cattle bones to answer questions about the future.
5. Geography and Agriculture
5.1. Shang/Zhou
5.1.1. -Developed Shang-style agriculture
5.1.2. -Migrated towards the westernmost agricultural basin of north china
5.1.3. -They planted millet, wheat, rice, and barely crops
5.1.4. -They domesticated pigs, dogs, sheep, oxen, and even silkworms
5.2. Sumerians
5.2.1. - Southern part of Mesopotamia
5.2.2. - Urk was the largest and most powerful city
5.2.3. Located in the fertile cresant
5.2.4. They called their territory Sumer
6. Science And Technology
6.1. Shang/Zhou
6.1.1. -Fashioned weapons, parts of chariots, and ritual vessels with bronze
6.1.2. -Iron appeared toward the end of the bronze age
6.1.3. -Jade was used for better weapons
6.1.4. -They used crop rotation which allowed more efficient use of land
6.2. Sumerians
6.2.1. - Developed math
6.2.2. - Used a writing system called Cuneiform
6.2.3. - They used clay bricks to build houses and buildings
6.2.4. - They invented the sailboat, the wheel, and an irrigation system
7. Government and Leaders
7.1. Sumerians
7.1.1. - The first king was Etana Kish
7.1.2. -Religion was polytheistic
7.1.3. -Every household,city,and village had their own god.
7.1.4. -The overriding purpose of man was to serve the gods.
7.2. Shang/ Zhou
7.2.1. -Jade was used for formal ceremonies at the courts of kings
7.2.2. -Longest-lasting of China's dynasties
7.2.3. -King Wen gave authority to neighbors to give Shang ability to make alliances that gave Zhou military power for conquest