1. Arts and Education
1.1. Shang
1.1.1. they were very advanced with bronze, and artisans used it in most of their art.
1.1.2. One of the most decorative pieces of art was the shang toatle, which was a bronze mask with protruding eyes and very distinct features.
1.1.3. Most of their Art was for the gods, ancestors, or the dead.
1.1.4. Made intracate bronze plaques to give to their gods.
1.2. Summerians
1.2.1. some of their architecture included ramps, arches,and columns.
1.2.2. Their sculptures were large wide eyed figures
1.2.3. they had cylindrical seals that to sign or show ownership. they were used by rolling them over something that was malleable.
1.2.4. their sculptures often had rounded and curved figures because clay was hard to sculpt into sharp edges.
2. Economy and Trade
2.1. Sumerians
2.1.1. Sumerians lacked raw materials essential for building structures.
2.1.2. The economy was mosty based off of agriculture, as they had developed some of the best farming technology.
2.1.3. They traded with civilization in the Indus valley, and as far as Britian.
2.1.4. Traded woven textiles for lumber and stone.
2.2. Shang
2.2.1. Traded sculptures made of marble and jade, and traded bronze tools and weapons.
2.2.2. Didn't trade much with foreigners excepting local civilizations.
2.2.3. Created beautiful jade jewelry. Specialized Jade statues and carving were a big part of the economy.
2.2.4. Crafted fine pottery and fabrics which they used for trade.
3. Government and leaders
3.1. Sumerians
3.1.1. Priests held high status and usually governed city states.
3.1.2. City States often fought each other, casung unstablility.
3.1.3. Victorious war lords crowned themselves kings and influenced minor dynasties.
3.1.4. Overall government was a mix of Democracy and Monarchy.
3.2. Shang
3.2.1. Government was a monarchy, each ruler having been related to the last in some way.
3.2.2. There was a large army that was used to not only attack and defend but to prevent rebellion.
3.2.3. The Shang dynasty had 30 total Kings, each ruling for different lengths of time. The longest under Tai Wu for 75 years.
3.2.4. The king ruled over many warlords and officials who governed small sections of land and had to pay taxes.
4. Science and Technology
4.1. Sumerians
4.1.1. Had their own math system based on the number 60 that is believed to be the reason we still divide 1 hour by 60 min
4.1.2. Invented the wheel, but at first, it was not used for what we use it for today like transportation. It was first used as a potters wheel.
4.1.3. Invented the plow for the basic farming methods. It was usually pulled by large animals like oxen.
4.1.4. Archeological evidence suggests that they had sewer sytems
5. Geography and agriculture
5.1. Sumerians
5.1.1. Wheat and barley were the most common plants to harvest for the Sumerians.
5.1.2. Lived in Mesopotamia which had very rich soil to plant on, which was good in order to have a maximum amount of crops.
5.1.3. They received little rain which was very important in order to plant, they also depended on snowfall which gave even more water.
5.1.4. Mesopotamia sometimes flooded which left silt, which is fine sand, clay, or other material carried by running water. This enriched the soil.
5.2. Shang
5.2.1. The Yangzi and Yellow rivers supplied water for the Shang. These rivers were close and between their civilization.
5.2.2. Flooding deposited rich soil for the farmers to use. This can reduce the amount of crops the farmers lose because there will be more soil.
5.2.3. There were many different features for the land there. Each part could be used to plant different crops.
5.2.4. Rice, wheat, and millet were very common in the Shang dynasty.
6. Social Structure and Family Life
6.1. Sumerians
6.1.1. They are made up of 3 social classes; upper class, middle class and slavery
6.1.2. The upper class contained nobles, priests, government officials, and warriors
6.1.3. Middle class were also known as "Freemen" because it was the majority of people
6.1.4. The man was the head of the family and could have more than one wife
6.2. Shang
6.2.1. It was a society which were classified into 4 social classes; The aristocracy, shang military. the "middle class", and peasants
6.2.2. The middle class worked mainly with bronze, since wealthy families wanted it
6.2.3. The aristocracy were the most respected social class and were responsible for governing smaller areas of the dynasty
6.2.4. The poorest class in shang society were the peasants, who were mostly farmers. Some people believed they functioned as slaves other believe they were more like serfs
7. Religion
7.1. Sumerians
7.1.1. Practiced Polytheism, the belief of many gods. This practice shaped life in the city states.
7.1.2. Believed that the gods controlled all natural sources, such as plants and animals all around the world.
7.1.3. Built Ziggurats and temples where food and drink were offered to the gods. They also held mass in the temples to worship the gods.
7.1.4. They worked very hard in order to please the gods, like building and other labor involving hard work.
7.2. Shang
7.2.1. They believed there was an afterlife after death, in which people would live happily and not live in despair.
7.2.2. They sacrificed prisoners of war to serve rulers in the afterlife. They also threw in gems and treasure for the rulers to have wealth in the afterlife.
7.2.3. Practiced Polytheism, the belief of more than one god. They also went by specific rules.
7.2.4. They believed that the gods would only let someone rule only if they were not corrupted. If they were corrupt then they would be dethroned by the gods.